Experiential learning has been a foundational tenant of agricultural education since its inception. However, the theory of experiential education has received limited attention in the permanent agricultural education literature base. As such, this philosophical manuscript examined Kolb's experiential learning process further, and considered the implications for experiential learning theory (ELT) in secondary agricultural education. Specifically, the researchers outlined Kolb's ELT and conducted a telephone interview with Dr. David A. Kolb. Analysis of the interview indicated that experiential learning is a critical component of a comprehensive agricultural education model (i.e., three-circle model). It was explained that experiential learning builds meta-cognitive skills and can be goal-oriented and assessed. However, agricultural educators must be present and purposeful when providing experiences for students. Additionally, they must ask reflection questions (e.g., "What happened?" "Now what?" "So what?") during each phase of ELT throughout the comprehensive agricultural education model (i.e., classroom and laboratory, Supervised Agricultural Experience [SAE], and FFA). Based on these conclusions, a Comprehensive Model for Secondary Agricultural Education was proposed to include the role of experiential learning more intentionally.
The purpose of this experimental study was to determine the effects of order of abstraction and type of reflection on student knowledge acquisition. Students were assigned randomly to one of four treatment combinations in the completely randomized 2x2 design which included either abstraction prior to or directly after an experience, and either reflection-in-action or reflection-onaction. A Lab-Aids® inquiry-based kit, centered on the principles of biofuels, served as the content for the treatment. The findings of this study indicate that order of abstraction does not have a statistically significant effect on knowledge acquisition scores, but that reflection-in-action did have a statistically significant effect on increasing students’ knowledge of the selected biofuel concepts. It is recommended that teachers at both the secondary and university level focus on effective strategies of reflection-in-action to draw deeper, more enduring learning from students’ experiences in agricultural education. The study was exploratory in nature, and recommendations were suggested for full-scale replications of the study.
To date, agricultural students' motivations regarding study abroad courses using the expectancyvalue-cost model of motivation have not been incorporated into study abroad research as potential factors influencing their choices to participate. In this paper, we present agricultural students' conceptualizations of their motivations to participate in short-term, study abroad courses or experiences. We used a descriptive-correlational research design in combination with modified versions of the Self and Task Perceptions Instrument (STPI), Expectancy-Value-Cost Questionnaire, and social cognitive theory items. It was posited that expectation for success, subjective-task value, cost, and self-efficacy would influence students' motivations to enroll in a short-term, study abroad course or experience before graduation. Overall, agricultural students displayed somewhat strong motivation to study abroad. Subjective-task value and expectation for success represented the largest motivational factors. Students indicated outside effort cost and self-efficacy as the least motivational factors. Task effort cost and location lived while growing up correlated lowly and negatively. However, outside effort cost correlated substantially and positively with students' motivations to study abroad.
The integration of science and agriculture has been discussed since the inception of agricultural education. However, the standards-based focus in public secondary education and changing climate of agriculture has brought science integration back to the forefront. Though research has indicated that the integration of science into agricultural education is effective in improving student achievement in science, there are still challenges. The instrumental case study sought to understand how Mr. Lee effectively integrated science into a traditional program while maintaining the benefits and purpose of agricultural education. Six issues, deduced from literature related to the integration of science in agricultural education, were identified. Six themes emerged that elucidate the process of successful science integration. First, agricultural educators' science content knowledge must be strengthened. Second, the pedagogy of scientific inquiry lacked components necessary for a rigorous curriculum. Third, agricultural educators who desire to integrate science should dig into their curriculum for existing science content. Fourth, collaboration among agriculture and science teachers can be fostered through involvement in the science department, and fifth the agricultural educator plays a fundamental role in curriculum planning to increase secondary science achievement. Finally, actual integration occurred in a more segmented way than proposed by Robert's and Ball's (2009) content and context dual-model.
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