Source: UNIV OF WISCONSIN submitted to NRP
TEACHING AND LEARNING IN THE ANIMAL SCIENCES A NATIONAL EFFORT TO CHALLENGE ASSUMPTIONS AND ESTABLISH NEW FOUNDATIONS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0225939
Grant No.
2011-38411-30559
Cumulative Award Amt.
$140,153.00
Proposal No.
2011-01855
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2011
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2015
Grant Year
2011
Program Code
[ER]- Higher Ed Challenge
Recipient Organization
UNIV OF WISCONSIN
21 N PARK ST STE 6401
MADISON,WI 53715-1218
Performing Department
Department of Dairy Science
Non Technical Summary
The demographics of students and faculty in Colleges of Agriculture have been changing dramatically, answers to critical questions are no longer confined to a single discipline, and training ranchers and farmers is no longer the main focus of agricultural education as it once was. Effective transformation entails a concerted effort between administrators (institutional changes) and instructors (changes in classroom practices). This proposal focuses primarily on changes in educational practices that may be best addressed by those involved in the development, implementation and assessment of curriculum and classroom learning environments. The target is the baccalaureate degree in dairy science, animal science, and poultry science (referred to as the Animal Sciences.) Thus in partnership with industry stakeholders, three professional societies, and strong institutional support, the core activity of this project is to organize and implement an innovative national conference: Teaching and Learning in the Animal Sciences - A National Effort to Challenge Old Assumptions and Break New Ground for the 21st Century.

The proposed conference will not duplicate professional development initiatives that exist on many campuses because it will not focus on pedagogical knowledge (PK; i.e., the knowledge of how to teach) but rather on pedagogical content knowledge (PCK, i.e., the knowledge of how to teach the content of a particular discipline.) The attention will be on curricular issues, learning objectives and expected student learning outcomes that are specific to the animal sciences in the context of the 21st century challenges described above. Participants will include primarily current and future instructors and administrators from a variety of institutions (Doctoral/Research, MS and BS institutions and those serving minorities), employers and professionals from closely related food and agricultural sciences disciplines.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
90360993020100%
Knowledge Area
903 - Communication, Education, and Information Delivery;

Subject Of Investigation
6099 - People and communities, general/other;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;
Goals / Objectives
Transforming Agricultural Education for a Changing World is a 2009 NRC report highlighting the challenges and opportunities for undergraduate education in Food and Agricultural Sciences. This proposal focused on the competency of an increasingly diverse corps of animal sciences (dairy, animal and poultry science) instructors teaching approximately 24,000 students enrolled in four-year baccalaureate degree programs in over 90 institutions nationwide. Our purpose is to improve the quality of animal sciences education to meet workplace needs of the livestock industry in the 21st century and to attract an increasingly diverse student population to consider a career to in animal agriculture. The project will produce: (a) a foundational 2.5-day national conference: Teaching and Learning in the Animal Sciences - A National Effort to Challenge Old Assumptions and Break New Ground for the 21st Century organized as a collaborative effort with industry stakeholders and three professional societies, (b) printed and electronic (DVD and on-line) conference proceedings, (c) teaching-related abstracts and (d) a workshop at the annual meetings of distinct professional societies, and (e) a peer-reviewed publication highlighting (anticipated) changes in attitudes and teaching practices among the expected 90 conference participants using a pre and post conference survey tool. Instructors and academic leaders will benefit from knowing how to design, and deliver more effectively animal sciences curricula to better meet needs of students, the employers and society. Lesson learned from this industry-university-professional society partnership will be disseminated as a possible model of professional development in other agricultural disciplines.
Project Methods
The three main activities of this proposal include: 1) The organization and implementation of a national conference on critical aspects of teaching and learning in the animal sciences and coordinated with the help of three professional societies (ADSA, ASAS, PAS) and the expertise of the current director of the ADSA discover conference, 2) the production of printed and digital materials that will be published and disseminated nationwide through multiple channels shortly after the conference, and 3) a thorough evaluation plan, which will document the intended and unintended impacts of (a) the conference, (b) the publications that will ensue, and (c) the partnership tested here as a model for other similar faculty development initiatives. Most importantly, our plan will include pre and post conference surveys administered to capture perceptions of animal science instructors in regards to their teaching practices.

The tentative program of the conference includes session on the following topics: I) the Changing Animal Science Student, II) The changing Animal Sciences Instructor, III) Creating an Effective Teaching and Learning Environment in the Animal Sciences (organized as a poster session), IV) Making the animal sciences teaching and learning more public, and V) Promotion, Rewards and Incentives. Shortly after completion of the conference, the five video-recorded keynote speaker presentations will be digitized. Evaluation and documentation of impacts will be conducted in part with a survey instrument to evaluate the impact of the conference on educational need areas priority 1 (Curricular development, instructional delivery systems and expansion of student career opportunities) and priority 2 (Faculty Teaching Competencies) and thus identify changes in attitudes, beliefs, perceptions and behavior of animal sciences instructors in regards to their teaching practices, what constitute appropriate learning goals, effective teaching and learning environments and measurable learning outcomes.

Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/15

Outputs
Target Audience:The primary audience of this project included instructors of animal sciences university-level courses and administrators (departmental head or chair) of animal sciences departments offering an undergraduate animal science major around the nation. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Throughout the lifetime of the grant, approximately 300 participants from across the nation attended the organized workshops (approximately 100 participants at each of the three events). These events were designed as opportunities for professional development. In addition, during the last reporting period, this projected partially supported a post-doctoral trainee who contributed to the planning of the 2015 workshop. The trainee has also focused his efforts on the analysis and the writing of a manuscript titled: Learning gains and types of courses and experiences for a 21st century education in animal sciences: Result of a national survey. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results of this project have been communicated to a broad audiences throughout: a) posting of conference presentation recording on a dedicated website; b) invited presentations to campus across the nation (including: Michigan State University, Purdue, and University of Georgia); c) abstract and poster presented at the national meeting of JAM (American Society of Animal Sciences, ASAS and the American Dairy Science Association, ADSA) and d) a peer-reviewed manuscript. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? All the stated goals of this project have been achieved. A). As described in the initial proposal, a conference was held in Madison, WI in June of 2012. B). Proceedings of the Madison conference were published (in print and electronically). Furthermore, electronic materials have been posted on the conference and workshop webpages. C). Teaching-related abstracts have been presented at national conferences of JAM (Joint Annual Meeting) of the American Society of Animal Sciences (ASAS) and the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA), as well as, the 2015 NACTA (North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture) meetings. D). We have organized and implemented two 1-day workshops that focused on teaching and learning undergraduates in the animal sciences as an "satellite events" of the 2013 (Indianapolis) and 2015 (Orlando) annual JAM (Joint Annual Meeting) of the American Society of Animal Sciences (ASAS) and the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA). Note, only one workshop was proposed in the original grant submission. E). We have written a publication highlighting the results of the instructor survey conducted under this project and will be submitted as this final report is being processed.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Ranathunga. S. D., M. A. Wattiaux, and P. Crump. 2015. Learning gains and teaching strategies for a 21st century education in animal sciences: Results of a nation survey NACTA J. 59(Suppl. 1):27.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Wattiaux, M. A. 2015. Scholarship of Teaching: What are the best methods of conducting research in teaching? J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 93, Suppl. S3 / J Dairy Sci. Vol. 98, Suppl.2:617.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Ranathunga. S. D., and M. A. Wattiaux. 2015. Instructors perceptions of the importance and adequacy of High-Impact Educational Practices in the animal science undergraduate curriculum in the United States. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 93, Suppl. S3 / J Dairy Sci. Vol. 98, Suppl.2:501.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Ranathunga. S. D., M. A. Wattiaux, and P. Crump. 2015. Learning gains and types of courses and experiences for a 21st century education in animal sciences: Result of a national survey. J. Animal Sciences.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wattiaux, M.A. 2013. Courses and High Impact Practices to Equip Students with Knowledge, Skills and Experiences for the 21st Century: Views of Animal Sciences Faculty. J Anim. Sci. Vol 91, E-Suppl. 1 / J. Dairy Sci. Vol 96, E-Suppl. 1 (1).


Progress 09/01/13 to 08/31/14

Outputs
Target Audience: Nothing Reported Changes/Problems: The PD engaged in a six month sabbatical leave of absence involving multi-national short term visits (with colleagues at the University of Laval, Québec, Canada and with colleagues in CATIE, Costa Rica) in the first half of 2014. Being out of the country, it made it difficult to supervise the publication of the survey results and write up of the evaluations, which was planned under the original timetable. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? A post-doc will be hired, who will contribute to the final phase of this project, which is related to dissemination of results. The post-dod will benefit from a professional development on issues related to teaching and learning in the field of Animal Sciences. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Survey data was analyzed, summarized and published in the NACTA journal (North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture). The surveys have been completed (with IRB approval), digitalized and are being analyzed and summarized for publication in a peer-reviewed article. Finally, the proposed activities also included the summarization of the conference evaluations, in order to learn how to better organize and plan teaching-related conferences in the Food and Agricultural Sciences for the future. These evaluations have been conducted and are being summarized. A summary of the evaluations will be posted on project web sites: https://dairynutrient.wisc.edu/page.php?id=320 and https://dairynutrient.wisc.edu/page.php?id=1125 . What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Proposed updated timetable until the end of the project (August 30, 2015) is as follows: September 2014: Hiring of the 25% commitment post-doc in teaching (initially budgeted graduate intern) October 2014: Dissemination of evaluation (posting on website) October, November and December 2014: Statistical analysis of survey data and literature review January to March: Preparation of two abstracts related to the project for presentation at summer 2015 national meetings: The meetings of the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) and the joint meetings of the American Dairy Science (ADSA) and American Society of Animal Sciences (ASAS) April to May: Advance the abstracts to full-fledged manuscripts for submission to NACTA journal and the Journal of Animal Sciences June to August: Final reports (including posting on website) Response to reviewers' comments prior to publication

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? We have completed all the planned activities for the first two years of this project. Specifically, we have organized a national conference on teaching and learning in the animal sciences at Madison, WI, June 19-22, 2012 (see https://dairynutrient.wisc.edu/page.php?id=320 ) and a follow-up 1-day pre join annual meeting of the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) and the American Society of Animal Sciences (ASAS) on July 8, 2013 in Indianapolis (see https://dairynutrient.wisc.edu/page.php?id=1125 ). Furthermore, invited presentations were video recorded and posted on a website (see: https://dairynutrient.wisc.edu/page.php?id=1065 ). Part of the proposed activities included conducting a survey of the conference and the workshop participants. The survey focused on the perception and attitudes of instructors in the Animal Sciences in regard to students' knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to develop successful careers in the 21st century. During this period, we have engaged in the planning of a 2015 workshop as a 1-day pre join annual meetings of the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) and the American Society of Animal Sciences (ASAS) that will be held in Orlando, June 2015. The Co-PI also planned a 1-day pre-conference teaching in the Animal Sciences workshop (satellite workshop) in conjunction with the 1015 joint meetings of the American Society of Animal Sciences (ASA) and the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA). This activity included numerous conference calls with a multi-state planning committee (including grants Co-PIs) and phone conversations with possible guest speakers / facilitators. In addition, the PI develop a job description, and review application for a post-doctoral trainee to contribute to final activities of the grant (summarization of survey data, manuscript development and dissemination of project products / new knowledge through peer-reviewed publications in teaching.

Publications


    Progress 09/01/12 to 08/31/13

    Outputs
    Target Audience: The target audience for the 2013 activities were the participants of the 2013 joint annual meeting of the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) and the American Society of Animal Sciences (ASAS) that was held in Indianapolis, July 8-11, 2013. A self-selected group of animal sciences instructors elected to attend a 1-day workshop on Teaching and Learning in the Animal Sciences. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Approximately 100 individuals from across the nation attended the 1-day workshop. The workshops schedule can be found at:https://dairynutrient.wisc.edu/page.php?id=1125 The download page loaded with speakers power point presentations and video-recording of their remarks can be found at:https://dairynutrient.wisc.edu/page.php?id=1126 How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? So far, dissemination of results has been achieved through the aformentioned website. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? During the next reporting period, we plan on summarizing the survey results and the conference evaluations. We plan on publishing our findings in a peer-reviewed eduation-related journal such as NACTA (North American College and Teachers of Agriculture).

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? During September 2012 and August 2013, the organizing committee planned and conducted a 1-day pre conference workshop at the joint annual meeting of the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) and the American Society of Animal Sciences (ASAS). The day was organized as a very interactive set of sessions with three speakers and 5 breakout sessions in the morning and 5 breakout sessions in the afternoon. The effort included to work closely with the aformentioned professional societies for their acceptance of the proposed acitivity and the planning on how to run such 1-day event at the national meetings.

    Publications

    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wattiaux, M.A. 2013. Courses and High Impact Practices to Equip Students with Knowledge, Skills and Experiences for the 21st Century: Views of Animal Sciences Faculty. J Anim. Sci. Vol 91, E-Suppl. 1 / J. Dairy Sci. Vol 96, E-Suppl. 1:1.
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wattiaux, M.A. 2013. Courses and High Impact Practices to Equip Students with Knowledge, Skills and Experiences for the 21st Century: Views of Animal Sciences Faculty. Invited Presentation, 203 JAM, Indianapolis, IN, July 8, 2013
    • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wattiaux, M. A. 2013. Teaching and Learning in the Animal Sciences: 1-Day Joint Annual Meeting 2013 Workshophttps://dairynutrient.wisc.edu/page.php?id=1125


    Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12

    Outputs
    OUTPUTS: Early in the period of September 2011 to August 2012, a conference organizing committee was put in place. This committee included Dr. Michel Wattiaux, UW-Madison (Co-Chair and grant PI), Dr. Jean Bertrand, University of Georgia (Co-chair and grant Co-PI); Sandy Bertics, UW-Madison, Dr. Dave Buchanan (Co-PI), North Dakota State University; Dr. Hasan Khatib (Co-PI), UW-Madison; Dr. Larry Miller, ADSA Discover Conferences; Dr. David Thomas, UW-Madison (Co-PI); Molly Kelley, ADSA Discover Conferences. The committee met regularly on conference call to plan and eventually implement the central activity of the proposed activities: a conference gathering dedicated administrators, faculty, instructors, post-docs and graduate students. The conference was advertised as: "A National Conference - Teaching and Learning in the Animal Sciences, Challenging Old Assumptions and Breaking New Ground for the 21st Century." It took place on June 19-22, 2012 at the Lowell Center on the edge of the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.

    A publically available web site was created. See (Conference home page). A proceeding was published and invited speakers were video-recorded.

    Proceedings and video-recordings of the conference have been made available on the following: web page.

    PARTICIPANTS: Project PI, Co-PIs, and key personel were actively engaged in the activities of the grant during this period. In addition, graduates students helped with the logistics, database of registrants, and the on-the-ground needs during the conference, and a UW-Madison (provost office) project assistant was hired to record the session and post the digital material on-line. The UW-Madison College of Agriculture Conference Center helped with on-line collection of registration fee. TARGET AUDIENCES: Our target audience included graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, faculty (assistant, associate, full professor) and administrators. As indicated above, each of these target audiences were represented in the approximately 100 conference participants. Also as indicated above, there was a good representation of contrasting types of institutions. Overall, individuals from 55 different institutions attended the conference. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

    Impacts
    Conference participants include approximately 100 individuals from (67 from Land Grant Universities; 5 from 1890/minority Universities; 9 from State Universities / Colleges and 12 from other institutions (mostly international). The participants included 68 instructors, 8 graduate students or post-docs, 6 administrators and 11 who categorized themselves as others. The conference was designed to maximize interaction among participants. Only one invited speaker was invited to set the stage for each of the five session. The rest of each session was designed as small breakout sessions (20 individuals per group) followed by a plenary session during which a facilitator - reporter shared the highlights of their group discussion. An IRB (human subject approved) survey was conducted during the conference. The survey focused on Views and Perceptions on Teaching and Learning in the Animal Sciences in Institutions of Higher Education. (results are being compiled). A conference evaluation was conducted at the end of the conference (results are being compiled). Preliminary summary of the evaluation indicated high level of satisfaction and impact. Many reported having gained ideas that they planned on implementing easily in their classrooms.

    Publications

    • Green, R. D. 2012. 2050s Challenges: Food Animal 'Scientist-Citizens' Required. Pg 1-6 in Proceedings Teaching & Learning in the Animal Sciences Conference, June 19-22, 2012, Madison, WI.

    • Esbenshade, K. L. 2012. Animal Science Students: Who They Are, How They Learn, and Their Learning Environment. Pg 7-20 in Proceedings Teaching & Learning in the Animal Sciences Conference, June 19-22, 2012, Madison, WI.

    • Robinson, F. E. 2012. Beyond Conventional Teaching in Animal Science: Experiences in 'Free Range' Learning. Pg 21-35 in Proceedings Teaching & Learning in the Animal Sciences Conference, June 19-22, 2012, Madison, WI.

    • Irlbeck, N. A. 2012. Creating a Culture of Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Animal Sciences: Can we Go Where No One Has Gone Before Pg 37-42 in Proceedings Teaching & Learning in the Animal Sciences Conference, June 19-22, 2012, Madison, WI.

    • Wattiaux, M. A. 2012. Recognizing and Promoting Effective Teaching and Learning Practice Among Future and Current Instructors: Laying New Ground for the 21st Century. Pg 43-66 in Proceedings Teaching & Learning in the Animal Sciences Conference, June 19-22, 2012, Madison, WI.