Progress 09/15/01 to 09/30/04
Outputs
Through partnerships and cooperation with other universities, corporations, and USDA agencies, we have completed our objectives for this project. Objective 1:-Develop a minor concentration in agricultural communications for students in the food and agricultural sciences. To ensure that all of graduates of the department are excellent communicators rather than a select few who select a minor in Agricultural Communications; in support of the academic mission of Alabama A&M University through promoting and enabling the integration of technology into teaching and learning to enhance the educational experience of our faculty, staff and students; the adoption of the National Educational Technology Standards of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) for both students and Teachers. Technologies that support teaching and learning are appropriately used by faculty, staff, and students in the everyday activity of education and in the business of the
University. Technological tools are available to faculty, staff, and students and they have access to the training and support necessary to make the best educational use of those tools. Objective 2:-Establish and equip a state-of-the-art technology enhanced communications classroom/laboratory. This project has enabled us to plan, design and integrate audio-visual, presentation and teleconferencing systems and controls into a state-of-the-art multimedia classroom/laboratory. In addition to a state-of-the-art teleconferencing system, our technology enhanced classroom/lab is equipped with the following: ceiling mounted LCD Projector and Projection Screen, Laptop connectivity for both Macintosh & PC, Mobile Computing Cart w/16 Laptop Computers, Copier/Fax, Laser All-In-One Machine, B&W Laser printers, Color Laser Printer, Color Photo Printer, VCR, DVD Player, Document Reader, Cassette Player, VHS Camcorder, Hi-8 Camcorder, Digital Video Camera, Digital Still Cameras, 21" TV/VCR/DVD Combo,
13" TV/VCR, and Portable LCD Projectors w/Screen, and Desktop Computers w/CD Recorders, DVD Recorders, ZIP Drives, and USB Ports. Objective 3:-Recruit, retain and train a diverse student population-especially those from underrepresented populations to pursue a degree in the food and agricultural sciences with a minor in agricultural communications. Using the technology, tools, and student financial assistance provided through this grant, we have enhanced our Web Communications; developed, printed, and disseminated Recruitment Brochures; conducted seminars, and provided work experience with financial assistance for students interested in the food and agricultural sciences. Additionally, we have communicated with potential students by telephone and through personal visits at their high schools and at their homes.
Impacts
These activities have provided excellent opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to gain valuable knowledge and experience in the skilled use of state-of-the-art information technology tools to access, analyze, and disseminate information and data to state, regional, national, and international audiences. These activities have also enabled us to enhance our capacity to partnership and collaborate with other institutions and agencies. Further, students have earned much needed financial support and gained valuable educational experience working with this project.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
A primary focus of this project during the past year has been to promote skilled use of modern information technologies by preparing faculty, staff, and students for increased use of these technologies for information and data dissemination. In carrying out these objectives, a faculty member working in Georgia and Zambia on USDA/AID projects has installed 4MB Vsat systems for Internet in rural and mountain villages that are supporting official communications during the day and Internet Cafes in the non-office hours. Consultation with the Cherkassy Academy of Management in the Ukraine is also based on project sponsored teaching experience at Alabama A&M University (AAMU) with Windows 2003 Server software (WebBoard and SPSS Data Entry Enterprise Server) for Web message boards and Web Survey data collection. One Agribusiness class participated in three Global Seminar case studies via video conferences with Florida A&M University and Virginia Tech in the Spring of 2003.
Additionally, six courses in communication/information technology and one course in Quantitative Applications were taught to faculty, staff, and students during the 2002-2003 academic year.
Impacts
These activities have provided excellent opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to gain valuable knowledge and experience in the skilled use of state-of-the-art information technology tools to access, analyze, and disseminate information and data to state, regional, national, and international audiences. These activities have also enabled us to enhance our capacity to partnership and collaborate with other institutions and agencies. Further, students have earned much needed financial support and gained valuable educational experience working with this project.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
The progress made towards meeting the objectives of the project include: three courses have been adapted to be included in our communications curriculum. All courses in the food and agricultural sciences are being enhanced through increased integration of communication technology. As planned, the most progress has been made in developing a state-of-the-art technology enhanced classroom/laboratory. Included are wireless laptop computers with appropriate software, peripherals and hardware for faculty, staff and students to teach, learn and gain practical experience with modern communication technology. This classroom/lab has state-of-the-art distance learning technology which enables us to participate in video conferencing and distance education classes.
Impacts
There is a growing gap between the social and communication skills that students have and those needed in the workplace of the 21st Century. This project is enabling us to provide training and experience to help students think, learn, and perform in and across disciplines. The communication/information technology is helping students in the food and agricultural sciences to develop and nurture the ability to access, analyze and communicate information.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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