Education Commons^™

Characteristics Of Award-Winning Children’S Books About Agriculture: An Analysis Of Content, And The Perspectives Of Authors, Illustrators, And Publishers, Addison L. Beckham

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this two-article qualitative study was to characterize children's literature about agriculture and to describe the perceptions of authors and illustrators who are responsible for writing and designing these successful publications. This will result in the ability of organizations like Feeding Minds Press to provide writers, illustrators, and publishers with effective strategies and techniques to improve the accuracy and overall quality of children’s literature about agriculture. Few parameters exist for authors of children’s books about agriculture (Biser, 2007). These parameters are necessary to ensure the quality and accuracy of these educational efforts (Serafini, 2012). Though Feeding Minds Press …

Predicting Graduate Students’ Self-Efficacy For Thesis/Dissertation Completion In Sub-Saharan Africa, Millicent A. Oyugi, Mathew Baker, Alexa J. Lamm, Agnes Oywaya Nkurumwa Dr

Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education

Despite the global surge in enrollment for master's and Ph.D. programs worldwide and, to some extent, in Sub-Saharan Africa, a considerable lag in completing theses and dissertations (TD) persists. Personal, situational, and contextual factors, such as supervision arrangements and research abilities, have been correlated with the time taken for TD completion. However, beyond these variables, there remains a significant gap in our understanding of what precisely predicts TD completion. To contribute to this knowledge deficit, we conducted a study to determine the predictive nature of specific information sources on students' self-efficacy regarding TD completion. These sources encompass gender, graduate program …

Breaking The Cycle: Women’S Experience In Postsecondary Agricultural And Extension Education, Lauren L. Cline Dr., Haley Rosson, Penny Pennington Weeks

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

The “leaky educational pipeline” metaphor refers to the steady tapering off of women obtaining graduate degrees and reaching the level of a tenured faculty member, although the number of women earning college degrees has surpassed males since the 1980s. Women are disproportionately represented among faculty and leadership at land-grant institutions and in the agricultural education profession. The purpose of this study was to provide a synthesis of women’s experience in postsecondary agricultural and extension education (AEE) by describing the common and diverging challenges, opportunities, and mentoring experiences of women faculty and graduate students in the profession. The study was a …

Transformative Learning In Nicaragua: A Retrospective Analysis Of University Agriculture Students’ Long-Term Changes In Perspective After A Study Abroad Course, Janiece Pigg, Adam M. O’Malley, Richie Roberts, Kristin S. Stair

Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education

Study abroad courses have become a priority for institutions of higher education because of a need to broaden students’ perspectives of the world. However, a dearth of knowledge existed regarding whether the reported outcomes of study abroad courses, such changes to students’ perspectives, endure over time. In response, this retrospective study explored how university agriculture students’ (n = 5) shared experiences during a one-week study abroad course to Nicaragua influenced their long-term changes in perspective after returning to the U.S. in 2018. Through our phenomenological analysis, three themes emerged: (1) dichotomous learning outcomes, (2) recognition of power and privilege, and …

The One – Way (Agri)Cultural Mirror: A Case Study Of How Young Agriculturalists Understand And Experience Culture, Janiece M. Pigg

LSU Master's Theses

As the global economy continues to transform how society operates, cultural competence has become a buzzword in education, professional development, research, government, and healthcare (Gay, 1994; Gallus et al., 2014). Cross et al. (1989) developed the most accepted definition of cultural competence: “a set of congruent behaviors, attitudes, and policies that come together in a system, agency, or among professionals and enable that system, agency, or those professionals to work effectively in cross-cultural situations” (p. 13).

Despite this, little to no research has been devoted to understanding cultural competence in agriculture. Thus, a need emerged to describe the cultural competence …

Choosing A Life Of Impact: A Grounded Theory Approach To Describe The Career Choice Of Becoming A High School Agriculture Teacher, Debra S. Korte, Rebecca Mott, Kari H. Keating, Jon C. Simonsen

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

The purpose of this grounded theory qualitative research was to identify the influences on students’ decisions to pursue a career as a high school agriculture teacher and develop a proposed theoretical model to conceptualize this career decision. Two samples of students – one sample of high school students and one sample of college students – were the participants in this study. Each participant included in the two samples was either considering teaching as a career or was currently enrolled in a university teacher licensure program. Data were collected from individual interviews, focus groups, and writing samples. The findings from this …

The Relationship Of Global Exposure And Intercultural Effectiveness Among Secondary Youth, Stacy K. Vincent, Courtney Turley, Ashley L. Austin

Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education

This study evaluated the impact of varying amounts of global exposure and previous travel experiences have on secondary agriculture students’ intercultural effectiveness (ICE) and global experiences through the lens of Mere Exposure Theory. Using a descriptive correlational approach, we surveyed 387 secondary agriculture seniors from 11 randomly selected schools in Kentucky to evaluate participant self-awareness, exploration, global mindset, relationship interest, positive regard, and emotional resilience. Findings revealed the majority of participants excelled in exploration but lacked in global mindsets. Benefits of successful ICE when applied are expected to increase communication and work effectiveness. Ignoring this approach would create poor abilities …

Flipping An Agricultural Teaching Methods Course At A Non-Land Grant University, Nathan W. Conner, Christopher T. Stripling, Stacy Tomas, Dennis Fennewald, Billye Foster

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

The purpose of this study was to analyze undergraduate students’ perceptions of experiencing a flipped classroom in a teaching methods course at a Non-Land Grant Public Institution. The flipped classroom moves lectures and online videos outside of the classroom and uses class time for learning activities that promote problem-solving and discussion. Basic qualitative methods were used to provide flexibility, rich description, and the emergence of common patterns and themes. Participants reported the online lectures were beneficial and provided order and structure to the learning process. Personal responsibility emerged as a subtheme with mixed responses. Some participants felt it was the …

Perceptions Of Tennessee School-Based Agricultural Education Teachers' Attitudes Toward Globalizing The Agricultural Curriculum, Nathan W. Conner, Katelyn Butcher

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

The agriculture industry is part of an interconnected world that is continually navigating complex trade regulations and cultural barriers. Graduates of School-Based Agricultural Education programs need to be prepared to positively communicate with people from all over the world and to have an understanding of international agricultural practices. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of Tennessee School-Based Agricultural Educators towards globalizing the secondary agricultural curriculum. Twenty-six School-Based Agricultural Educators were interviewed for this study. The interviewees represented the entire state of Tennessee, including both urban and rural programs. The use of thematic analysis allowed the following …

University Student And Faculty Needs, Barriers, And Expectations Of International Efforts And Opportunities: A Closer Look At One Land-Grant University’S College Of Agriculture, Stuart Estes, Maggie Jo Hansen, Leslie D. Edgar

Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education

International academic opportunities have gained increased attention among students, faculty, and administration at American universities. It is important for agriculturalstudents to have an awareness and understanding of agricultural policy and issues in the United Statesand other countries. Also,faculty who have personal and professional ties internationally are often the link for these students to engage in globalexperiences. This study used descriptive survey methodology to assess students (N=773) and faculty (N=85) at the University of Arkansasabouttheir perceptions of international experiences, as well as what they saw as the most influential barriers and influencers to participating in international experiences. Students notedtheir parents (M= …

Effect Of High School Completion Of The Agricultural Education Program On The Rate Of Return On Investment For The Commonwealth Of Virginia, Phillip Scott Bevins

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

This research study sought to determine the effect high school completion of the agricultural career and technical education program has on the rate of return on investment by public schools in Virginia. The research questions guiding this study included: (1) Were students able to find employment related to the agricultural career and technical education program they completed, (2) What federal and state funding was allocated for students participating in the agricultural career and technical education programs in the state of Virginia, (3) Was there a significant level of tax revenues generated by incomes from those who participated in the agricultural …