Advancements in agricultural development, Aug 21, 2023
The school-based agricultural education (SBAE) teacher attrition crisis dates back to the passing... more The school-based agricultural education (SBAE) teacher attrition crisis dates back to the passing of the Smith-Hughes Act in 1917. For the past three decades, researchers have studied this phenomenon to better understand the needs of SBAE teachers in order to increase retention as well as improve work-life balance. While several needs are recurring, current efforts are not resulting in actionable change for SBAE teachers. To gain perspectives on the problem, an expert panel of SBAE supporters were invited to participate in a Delphi in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, focused on the perceived needs of SBAE teachers. The Conceptual Model of Support for SBAE Teachers was introduced as a potential lens to meet the human needs of SBAE teachers. The Delphi resulted in 42 items being identified as areas of need for 21 st century SBAE teachers. All align with the historical needs of SBAE teachers and demonstrate gaps in support in the areas of wellness, resources, worklife balance, relationships, and the need for purposeful professional development. Further research is recommended to evaluate the identified needs. Marsh et al.
Journal of Southern Agricultural Education …, 2004
The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to measure the impact of servicelearning on acad... more The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to measure the impact of servicelearning on academic achievement of students enrolled in an introductory course in agricultural applications of microcomputers. The treatment consisted of a service-learning project that engaged students in the conversion and compression of digital video clips for integration into PowerPoint shows they developed for research faculty in the College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences at Clemson University. Student performance was measured using a pretest and posttest developed from a test bank that accompanies the course text. No significant difference was found between the treatment and control groups in the study.
NACTA Journal • March 2015 Abstract Background information may provide useful indication of abili... more NACTA Journal • March 2015 Abstract Background information may provide useful indication of ability to think critically and aid instructors in fostering the critical thinking process. Descriptive factors that may predict critical thinking ability include: age, gender, grade point average (GPA), classification and extracurricular activities. The focus of this study was to quantify the critical thinking ability of animal science students and determine what differences in their demographic information exist. The Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal (WGCTA) exam provided means to objectively measure critical thinking ability of students enrolled in required animal science courses. Each student completed a questionnaire determining demographic information. Several demographic characteristics demonstrated higher scores on the WGCTA; students in the 18-20 age range (P = 0.0039), those who reported ≥ 3.5 GPA (P = 0.003) and those who had evaluation experience in an organized youth or c...
Self-perceived leadership skills/behaviors of students enrolled in a college of agriculture "Lead... more Self-perceived leadership skills/behaviors of students enrolled in a college of agriculture "Leadership Programs in Agriculture" course were assessed. A descriptive survey was used to collect data from 58 students enrolled in a "Leadership Programs in Agriculture" course. Findings indicated that students perceived themselves as possessing higher leadership skills. In addition, students also participated in a variety of organizations and activities. Prominent among them were athletics, intramurals, department clubs, FFA, 4-H, and church groups. Significant positive relationships were found between participation in department clubs and leadership skills. Based on the findings, it was recommended that students be provided with opportunities for involvement in community activities and college departmental organizations.
This study focused on inservice needs of beginning and experienced agriculture teachers in South ... more This study focused on inservice needs of beginning and experienced agriculture teachers in South Carolina. Based on the Borich Needs Assessment Model, a modified list of 50 competencies from previous research was developed to assess needs of South Carolina teachers (N = 105) during the 1999-2000 academic year. Using a census of the population, the perceived level of importance and perceived level of competence of the 50 competencies of the teachers were measured. To determine specific needs, beginning teachers (<5 years experience) and experienced teachers were analyzed separately. Overall inservice needs were analyzed and ranked using Mean Weighted Discrepancy Scores (MWDS). The top five competencies in need by experienced agriculture teachers included: using computers in classroom teaching; preparing FFA degree applications; preparing proficiency award applications; using multimedia equipment in teaching; and teaching recordkeeping skills. In contrast, beginning teachers listed the following top five competencies of need: utilizing a local advisory committee; developing local adult education programs; organizing fund-raising activities for the local FFA chapter; preparing agriculture/FFA contest teams; and developing SAE opportunities for students.
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) applications have become increasingly mo... more Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) applications have become increasingly more commonplace in school-based agricultural education (SBAE) settings in the past few decades. In recent years, Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE) programming has provided a practical outlet for STEM-focused, inquiry-based teaching and learning activities. The CASE Mechanical Systems in Agriculture (MSA) course was recently field-tested nationally with several SBAE teachers. Framed within Rogers' (2003) diffusion of innovations theory, we sought to study six teachers' experiences when implementing the CASE MSA curriculum throughout the 2018-2019 academic year. Using qualitative research methods, we conducted multiple one-on-one interviews with each SBAE teacher at different parts of their respective academic years. Data were coded in accordance with Merriam's (2009) recommendations. Four dominant themes emerged: (1) the journey toward innovation; (2) learning as you go; (3) logistical and implementation challenges; and (4) students' needs and preferences. Several prominent sub-themes emerged as well. Our findings highlight that although challenges existed, the CASE MSA curriculum was suitable for enhancing the rigor and relevance of these teachers' agricultural mechanics curricula. We recommend CASE MSA curriculum stakeholders collaborate to continuously improve its design and flexibility.
Assessing Awareness and Competence of Best Practices in Synchronous Online Instruction During the COVID-19 Pandemic for Clemson Cooperative Extension Professionals
Journal of Extension
Traditional delivery of Extension programming changed overnight in March 2020, when the COVID-19 ... more Traditional delivery of Extension programming changed overnight in March 2020, when the COVID-19 outbreak forced switching traditional methods to virtual delivery. Extension professionals across South Carolina quickly adapted to online delivery. Concerns over instructor preparedness to use online tools, including functions to assure accessibility, did arise. Findings from this non-experimental, descriptive research study suggested Extension professionals used online tools (primarily Zoom). The majority were not comfortable using many of the features that would enhance instruction, including polling, file transfer, and live-streaming media platforms. Additionally, Microsoft Word and PowerPoint skills to assure accessibility for clientele were lacking.
American Association for Agricultural Education national research agenda: 2016-2020. Research Priority Area 2: New Technologies, Practices, and Products Adoption Decisions
Opportunities in research: SAEs and FFA agriscience activities
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION …, 2003
... Journal of Agricultural Education 41(3). 13-22. Moore, G. & Flowers, J. (1993). ... Salva... more ... Journal of Agricultural Education 41(3). 13-22. Moore, G. & Flowers, J. (1993). ... Salvatore A. Sparace is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology Instruction, working with an Agriscience Focus, at Clemson University. May-June 2003 27
Introduction/Need for Innovation In 1999, a new department (BIAE) was created at Clemson Universi... more Introduction/Need for Innovation In 1999, a new department (BIAE) was created at Clemson University by combining the faculties from Biology Instruction and Agricultural Education. This structure facilitated a new model that allowed the integration of science and agriculture in South Carolina's
Technology Education High School Teachers and Ctae Administrators as Measured by the Characteristics of Engineering and Technology Education Survey
This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Dissertations at TigerPrints.... more This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Dissertations at TigerPrints. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Dissertations by an authorized administrator of TigerPrints. For more information, please contact [email protected].
Self-perceived leadership skills/behaviors of students enrolled in a college of agriculture “Lead... more Self-perceived leadership skills/behaviors of students enrolled in a college of agriculture “Leadership Programs in Agriculture ” course were assessed. A descriptive survey was used to collect data from 58 students enrolled in a “Leadership Programs in Agriculture ” course. Findings indicated that students perceived themselves as possessing higher leadership skills. In addition, students also participated in a variety of organizations and activities. Prominent among them were athletics, intramurals, department clubs, FFA, 4-H, and church groups. Significant positive relationships were found between participation in department clubs and leadership skills. Based on the findings, it was recommended that students be provided with opportunities for involvement in community activities and college departmental organizations. Introduction/Theoretical Framework In recent years, colleges of agriculture across the United States have initiated different forms of leadership courses in order to m...
This study focused on inservice needs of beginning and experienced agriculture teachers in South ... more This study focused on inservice needs of beginning and experienced agriculture teachers in South Carolina. Based on the Borich Needs Assessment Model, a modified list of 50 competencies from previous research was developed to assess needs of South Carolina teachers (N = 105) during the 1999-2000 academic year. Using a census of the population, the perceived level of importance and perceived level of competence of the 50 competencies of the teachers were measured. To determine specific needs, beginning teachers (<5 years experience) and experienced teachers were analyzed separately. Overall inservice needs were analyzed and ranked using Mean Weighted Discrepancy Scores (MWDS). The top five competencies in need by experienced agriculture teachers included: using computers in classroom teaching; preparing FFA degree applications; preparing proficiency award applications; using multimedia equipment in teaching; and teaching recordkeeping skills. In contrast, beginning teachers listed...
NACTA Journal • March 2012 Abstract Evaluation courses have remained an integral part of collegia... more NACTA Journal • March 2012 Abstract Evaluation courses have remained an integral part of collegiate animal science programs throughout the country and are a precursor for a national judging team. An evaluation course focuses on teaching students general accepted criteria for evaluating a particular animal, industry standards and rules to compare multiple animals, and emphasizes students being able to defend their judgments both written and orally. These skills are necessary for building wellrounded graduates. Participation on a judging team has been associated with developing problem solving and decision making, employer preferred life skills (Boyd et al., 1992; Rusk et al., 2002). Eight students in the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at Clemson University took a standardized critical thinking exam. Four of the students had never taken an evaluation course or competed on a judging team (N) and the remaining four had taken an evaluation course and competed on a national ...
Disease has contributed significantly to the decline of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) populatio... more Disease has contributed significantly to the decline of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) populations throughout much of western North America, decreasing many native herds to less than 10% of their historical size and imperiling some populations and subspecies (Valdez and Krausman 1999). According to historical accounts (e.g., Grinnell 1928; Honess and Frost 1942; Shillinger 1937; Warren 1910), epidemics in some locations coincided with the advent of domestic livestock grazing in bighorn ranges, suggesting that novel pathogens may have been introduced into some bighorn populations beginning in the 1800s.
The purpose of this descriptive study was to measure the impact of intergenerational service lear... more The purpose of this descriptive study was to measure the impact of intergenerational service learning on students enrolled in an introductory course in agricultural applications of microcomputers. Specifically, stereotypes toward older people were measured prior to and at the conclusion of service learning activities (computer instruction) with residents from a local retirement center. Due to various environmental factors, such as media, negative sterotypes regarding older people have evolved, supporting the theory known as Ageism. Intergenerational service learning activities have been found to support positive changes away from those Ageist stereotypes often held by college students. Although negative stereotypes were initially found in the pre-test, favorable changes were found in the post-test Mean scores and composite Mean scores. The largest improvement of students’ stereotypes was found in the personality factor of the retirement center residents. An analysis of students’ ref...
Advancements in agricultural development, Aug 21, 2023
The school-based agricultural education (SBAE) teacher attrition crisis dates back to the passing... more The school-based agricultural education (SBAE) teacher attrition crisis dates back to the passing of the Smith-Hughes Act in 1917. For the past three decades, researchers have studied this phenomenon to better understand the needs of SBAE teachers in order to increase retention as well as improve work-life balance. While several needs are recurring, current efforts are not resulting in actionable change for SBAE teachers. To gain perspectives on the problem, an expert panel of SBAE supporters were invited to participate in a Delphi in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, focused on the perceived needs of SBAE teachers. The Conceptual Model of Support for SBAE Teachers was introduced as a potential lens to meet the human needs of SBAE teachers. The Delphi resulted in 42 items being identified as areas of need for 21 st century SBAE teachers. All align with the historical needs of SBAE teachers and demonstrate gaps in support in the areas of wellness, resources, worklife balance, relationships, and the need for purposeful professional development. Further research is recommended to evaluate the identified needs. Marsh et al.
Journal of Southern Agricultural Education …, 2004
The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to measure the impact of servicelearning on acad... more The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to measure the impact of servicelearning on academic achievement of students enrolled in an introductory course in agricultural applications of microcomputers. The treatment consisted of a service-learning project that engaged students in the conversion and compression of digital video clips for integration into PowerPoint shows they developed for research faculty in the College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences at Clemson University. Student performance was measured using a pretest and posttest developed from a test bank that accompanies the course text. No significant difference was found between the treatment and control groups in the study.
NACTA Journal • March 2015 Abstract Background information may provide useful indication of abili... more NACTA Journal • March 2015 Abstract Background information may provide useful indication of ability to think critically and aid instructors in fostering the critical thinking process. Descriptive factors that may predict critical thinking ability include: age, gender, grade point average (GPA), classification and extracurricular activities. The focus of this study was to quantify the critical thinking ability of animal science students and determine what differences in their demographic information exist. The Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal (WGCTA) exam provided means to objectively measure critical thinking ability of students enrolled in required animal science courses. Each student completed a questionnaire determining demographic information. Several demographic characteristics demonstrated higher scores on the WGCTA; students in the 18-20 age range (P = 0.0039), those who reported ≥ 3.5 GPA (P = 0.003) and those who had evaluation experience in an organized youth or c...
Self-perceived leadership skills/behaviors of students enrolled in a college of agriculture "Lead... more Self-perceived leadership skills/behaviors of students enrolled in a college of agriculture "Leadership Programs in Agriculture" course were assessed. A descriptive survey was used to collect data from 58 students enrolled in a "Leadership Programs in Agriculture" course. Findings indicated that students perceived themselves as possessing higher leadership skills. In addition, students also participated in a variety of organizations and activities. Prominent among them were athletics, intramurals, department clubs, FFA, 4-H, and church groups. Significant positive relationships were found between participation in department clubs and leadership skills. Based on the findings, it was recommended that students be provided with opportunities for involvement in community activities and college departmental organizations.
This study focused on inservice needs of beginning and experienced agriculture teachers in South ... more This study focused on inservice needs of beginning and experienced agriculture teachers in South Carolina. Based on the Borich Needs Assessment Model, a modified list of 50 competencies from previous research was developed to assess needs of South Carolina teachers (N = 105) during the 1999-2000 academic year. Using a census of the population, the perceived level of importance and perceived level of competence of the 50 competencies of the teachers were measured. To determine specific needs, beginning teachers (<5 years experience) and experienced teachers were analyzed separately. Overall inservice needs were analyzed and ranked using Mean Weighted Discrepancy Scores (MWDS). The top five competencies in need by experienced agriculture teachers included: using computers in classroom teaching; preparing FFA degree applications; preparing proficiency award applications; using multimedia equipment in teaching; and teaching recordkeeping skills. In contrast, beginning teachers listed the following top five competencies of need: utilizing a local advisory committee; developing local adult education programs; organizing fund-raising activities for the local FFA chapter; preparing agriculture/FFA contest teams; and developing SAE opportunities for students.
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) applications have become increasingly mo... more Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) applications have become increasingly more commonplace in school-based agricultural education (SBAE) settings in the past few decades. In recent years, Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE) programming has provided a practical outlet for STEM-focused, inquiry-based teaching and learning activities. The CASE Mechanical Systems in Agriculture (MSA) course was recently field-tested nationally with several SBAE teachers. Framed within Rogers' (2003) diffusion of innovations theory, we sought to study six teachers' experiences when implementing the CASE MSA curriculum throughout the 2018-2019 academic year. Using qualitative research methods, we conducted multiple one-on-one interviews with each SBAE teacher at different parts of their respective academic years. Data were coded in accordance with Merriam's (2009) recommendations. Four dominant themes emerged: (1) the journey toward innovation; (2) learning as you go; (3) logistical and implementation challenges; and (4) students' needs and preferences. Several prominent sub-themes emerged as well. Our findings highlight that although challenges existed, the CASE MSA curriculum was suitable for enhancing the rigor and relevance of these teachers' agricultural mechanics curricula. We recommend CASE MSA curriculum stakeholders collaborate to continuously improve its design and flexibility.
Assessing Awareness and Competence of Best Practices in Synchronous Online Instruction During the COVID-19 Pandemic for Clemson Cooperative Extension Professionals
Journal of Extension
Traditional delivery of Extension programming changed overnight in March 2020, when the COVID-19 ... more Traditional delivery of Extension programming changed overnight in March 2020, when the COVID-19 outbreak forced switching traditional methods to virtual delivery. Extension professionals across South Carolina quickly adapted to online delivery. Concerns over instructor preparedness to use online tools, including functions to assure accessibility, did arise. Findings from this non-experimental, descriptive research study suggested Extension professionals used online tools (primarily Zoom). The majority were not comfortable using many of the features that would enhance instruction, including polling, file transfer, and live-streaming media platforms. Additionally, Microsoft Word and PowerPoint skills to assure accessibility for clientele were lacking.
American Association for Agricultural Education national research agenda: 2016-2020. Research Priority Area 2: New Technologies, Practices, and Products Adoption Decisions
Opportunities in research: SAEs and FFA agriscience activities
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION …, 2003
... Journal of Agricultural Education 41(3). 13-22. Moore, G. & Flowers, J. (1993). ... Salva... more ... Journal of Agricultural Education 41(3). 13-22. Moore, G. & Flowers, J. (1993). ... Salvatore A. Sparace is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology Instruction, working with an Agriscience Focus, at Clemson University. May-June 2003 27
Introduction/Need for Innovation In 1999, a new department (BIAE) was created at Clemson Universi... more Introduction/Need for Innovation In 1999, a new department (BIAE) was created at Clemson University by combining the faculties from Biology Instruction and Agricultural Education. This structure facilitated a new model that allowed the integration of science and agriculture in South Carolina's
Technology Education High School Teachers and Ctae Administrators as Measured by the Characteristics of Engineering and Technology Education Survey
This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Dissertations at TigerPrints.... more This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Dissertations at TigerPrints. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Dissertations by an authorized administrator of TigerPrints. For more information, please contact [email protected].
Self-perceived leadership skills/behaviors of students enrolled in a college of agriculture “Lead... more Self-perceived leadership skills/behaviors of students enrolled in a college of agriculture “Leadership Programs in Agriculture ” course were assessed. A descriptive survey was used to collect data from 58 students enrolled in a “Leadership Programs in Agriculture ” course. Findings indicated that students perceived themselves as possessing higher leadership skills. In addition, students also participated in a variety of organizations and activities. Prominent among them were athletics, intramurals, department clubs, FFA, 4-H, and church groups. Significant positive relationships were found between participation in department clubs and leadership skills. Based on the findings, it was recommended that students be provided with opportunities for involvement in community activities and college departmental organizations. Introduction/Theoretical Framework In recent years, colleges of agriculture across the United States have initiated different forms of leadership courses in order to m...
This study focused on inservice needs of beginning and experienced agriculture teachers in South ... more This study focused on inservice needs of beginning and experienced agriculture teachers in South Carolina. Based on the Borich Needs Assessment Model, a modified list of 50 competencies from previous research was developed to assess needs of South Carolina teachers (N = 105) during the 1999-2000 academic year. Using a census of the population, the perceived level of importance and perceived level of competence of the 50 competencies of the teachers were measured. To determine specific needs, beginning teachers (<5 years experience) and experienced teachers were analyzed separately. Overall inservice needs were analyzed and ranked using Mean Weighted Discrepancy Scores (MWDS). The top five competencies in need by experienced agriculture teachers included: using computers in classroom teaching; preparing FFA degree applications; preparing proficiency award applications; using multimedia equipment in teaching; and teaching recordkeeping skills. In contrast, beginning teachers listed...
NACTA Journal • March 2012 Abstract Evaluation courses have remained an integral part of collegia... more NACTA Journal • March 2012 Abstract Evaluation courses have remained an integral part of collegiate animal science programs throughout the country and are a precursor for a national judging team. An evaluation course focuses on teaching students general accepted criteria for evaluating a particular animal, industry standards and rules to compare multiple animals, and emphasizes students being able to defend their judgments both written and orally. These skills are necessary for building wellrounded graduates. Participation on a judging team has been associated with developing problem solving and decision making, employer preferred life skills (Boyd et al., 1992; Rusk et al., 2002). Eight students in the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at Clemson University took a standardized critical thinking exam. Four of the students had never taken an evaluation course or competed on a judging team (N) and the remaining four had taken an evaluation course and competed on a national ...
Disease has contributed significantly to the decline of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) populatio... more Disease has contributed significantly to the decline of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) populations throughout much of western North America, decreasing many native herds to less than 10% of their historical size and imperiling some populations and subspecies (Valdez and Krausman 1999). According to historical accounts (e.g., Grinnell 1928; Honess and Frost 1942; Shillinger 1937; Warren 1910), epidemics in some locations coincided with the advent of domestic livestock grazing in bighorn ranges, suggesting that novel pathogens may have been introduced into some bighorn populations beginning in the 1800s.
The purpose of this descriptive study was to measure the impact of intergenerational service lear... more The purpose of this descriptive study was to measure the impact of intergenerational service learning on students enrolled in an introductory course in agricultural applications of microcomputers. Specifically, stereotypes toward older people were measured prior to and at the conclusion of service learning activities (computer instruction) with residents from a local retirement center. Due to various environmental factors, such as media, negative sterotypes regarding older people have evolved, supporting the theory known as Ageism. Intergenerational service learning activities have been found to support positive changes away from those Ageist stereotypes often held by college students. Although negative stereotypes were initially found in the pre-test, favorable changes were found in the post-test Mean scores and composite Mean scores. The largest improvement of students’ stereotypes was found in the personality factor of the retirement center residents. An analysis of students’ ref...
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