Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The goal of the proposed project is to develop a self-sustaining model for K-12 teacher professional development focused on infusing agricultural context through core academic subjects. The specific objectives include 1) Collect relevant retrospective data from teachers and students who have previously participated in defined, systematic agricultural literacy efforts; 2) Prioritize the training and preparation challenges identified by teachers and pre-service teachers toward adopting and using agricultural contexts regularly; 3) Demonstrate connectedness between research and teacher instruction choices toward developing increased usage of agricultural literacy materials provided through National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization and National Center for Agricultural Literacy; 4) Utilize teachers who are both knowledgeable and confident in using agricultural literacy resources to assist in developing measurable ways to overcome the training and preparation challenges; 5) Develop and publish short-sequenced instructional videos with teachers showing teachers ways to effectively incorporate agricultural contexts in time-friendly, cost-friendly, resource-friendly and planning-friendly ways. Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation provides the theoretical framework for the web-based professional development model. While web-enhanced professional development programs are not new, the approach of short-sequenced instruction focused on "how" and "why" is unique. The professional development model becomes self-sustaining as educators utilize the easily-accessible videos to gain fresh ideas for engaging students and through the potential for ever-broadening access to National Agricultural Literacy Outcomes as well as increasing awareness and use of the free instructional resources available from NAITCO and NCAL.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
The goal of the proposed project is to develop a self-sustaining model for K-12 teacher professional development focused on infusing agricultural context through core academic subjects. The specific objectives include 1) Utilize teachers who are both knowledgeable and confident in using agricultural literacy resources to assist in developing measurable ways to overcome the training and preparation challenges; 2) Develop and publish short-sequenced instructional videos with teachers showing teachers ways to effectively incorporate agricultural contexts in time-friendly, cost-friendly, resource-friendly and planning-friendly ways. The professional development model becomes self-sustaining as educators utilize the easily-accessible videos to gain fresh ideas for engaging students and through the potential for ever-broadening access to National Agricultural Literacy Outcomes as well as increasing awareness and use of the free instructional resources available from NAITCO and NCAL.
Project Methods
Use of instructional video is not a new concept. However, with ever increasing availability of effective web-streaming, the opportunities for using the technology have multiplied. With increased emphasis in modern education settings on active learning strategies, the format of video-based instruction has changed, according to Marsh and Mitchell (2014). Where it was once common to have a "talking head" presenting information, it is now more common to have a trainer show how to incorporate and implement learning concepts for classroom or lab-based activities. Lee and Wu (2007) reported increased accessibility to good web-based streaming video was helpful to both current and pre-service teachers. The conditions for both active learning and for reflection are equally important to the accessibility. The planned instructional videos for this project will not focus on a teacher presenting the full lesson cycle using agricultural context. Rather, the model will incorporate teachers demonstrating and discussing key ideas for effectively presenting the agriculturally-themed context within Math, Science, English/Language Arts, Social Studies and Arts. This approach will allow the viewers to see the materials and supplies needed for the lesson, to hear ways to make active learning connections and to gain confidence in their own ability to implement similar instruction.