EAGR 4340/6340
Intracurricular Programs for Agricultural Education
Course Syllabus
Fall 2004
Thursdays: 4:30 p.m. Ð 7:15 p.m.
Tifton Campus - RDC GSAMS Room
The Course syllabus is a general plan for the course; deviations announced to the class by the instructor may be necessary.
Instructors:
Dr. Jason B. Peake
Office: 116 NESPAL
Tifton, Georgia
Telephone: 229.386.3085
Fax: 229.386.3158
E-mail: jpeake@tifton.uga.edu
Dr. Dennis W. Duncan
Office: 106 Four Towers
Athens, Georgia
Telephone: 706.542.1204
Fax: 706.542.0262
E-mail: dwd@uga.edu
Course Description:
The course is designed to introduce individuals to the intracurricular programs associated with teaching high school and middle school agriculture. Program components such as the classroom, the school lab, Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) programs, FFA, and school and community relationships will guide the discussion in this course. Subject matter will also explore the philosophical foundations and historical development of secondary programs of Agricultural Education in the United States as well as emerging trends.
Course Objectives:
Student Objectives
- Identify, develop, and implement the major components for a "total program" of high school and middle school agriculture.
- Develop, implement, and supervise agricultural experience programs.
- Develop and conduct FFA programs of high quality.
- Develop and articulate a personal philosophy of teaching.
- Describe emerging trends and future directions for Agricultural Education.
- Conduct and report a community survey.
Instructor Objectives
- Discuss selected historical events leading to the establishment of programs of high school and middle school Agriculture.
- Describe the social, economic, political, and philosophical issues that directly impact High school and middle school Agriculture Programs as opposed to those that impact regular academic education.
- Facilitate studentsÕ development of a POA (program of activities).
- Work effectively with diverse cultures and populations of students.
Course Structure:
This course is taught Face to Face and via GSAMS. Dr. Peake will lead the instruction from the Rural Development Center in Tifton and Dr. Duncan will facilitate the class at the Athens location.
Course Calendar:
|
Class |
Topics |
|
8/19 |
- Introductions - Course Philosophy - Course Syllabus and Assignments - Characteristics of an Agriscience Teacher - Roles of an Agriscience Teacher - Key Leaders of Agricultural Education - State Staff |
|
8/26 |
- Requirements for Teacher Education. - Institutions of Agricultural Education - Reviewing the Past, Present, and Future of Ag Ed and FFA - Quiz over the History of FFA and Key People in Ag Ed |
|
9/2 |
- Providing Experiences Through Agricultural Science Classes Ð SAE - Pre-employment Laboratory and Agriculture CO-OP - Local FFA Program of Activities - SAE Placement and Supervision - SAE Parent-Student-Teacher Contracts - Thinking Paper on the Future of Agricultural Education Due |
|
9/9 |
- The Total Program Ð How FFA fits in - Diversity in Agricultural Education - Thinking Paper on SAE |
|
9/16 |
- Record Book for SAE in Agricultural Science and Technology - Hard copy and Online - The "Total Program" for your Community |
|
9/23 |
- Technology in Ag Ed: Hardware, Software, Web Sites, etcÉ |
|
9/30 |
- Catch up day/In class work day - Record Books Due |
|
10/07 |
- Providing Experiences Through SAE Production Programs - Teaching SAE, CDE, and LDE - Introduction of mini lessons on SAEs, CDEs and LDEs - School Web Site Due |
|
10/14 |
- Student Mini Lessons on SAEs - Teaching Mini Lessons and Lesson Plans Due |
|
10/21 |
- Student Mini Lessons on CDEs - Teaching Mini Lessons and Lesson Plans Due |
|
10/28 |
- Student Mini Lessons on LDEs - Teaching Mini Lessons and Lesson Plans Due |
|
11/04 |
- Providing SAE, CDE and LDE Activities on the Local Level - Training teams for CDE and LDE - FFA Officer training and Development - Thinking Paper on Training Teams Due |
|
11/11 |
- Rewarding Students for Experience Gained - FFA Degrees, Proficiencies, Awards and Scholarships - Community and School Snap Shot Due |
|
11/18 |
- Utilizing Community Involvement Ð Advisory Councils, Booster Clubs, etc. - Completed Proficiency Awards Due |
|
11/25 |
- Thanksgiving Break |
|
12/2 |
- Managing your classroom and land lab - Managing money for your program - Accountability: Reports to the State Staff - FFA End of Year Banquet |
|
12/9 |
- Catch up day/Last day of class |
|
12/16 |
- Final Exam |
Class Activities:
Quiz
One quiz is scheduled that is worth a total of 50 points; however unannounced quizzes may be given throughout the semester over any material that has been covered thus far in the semester. In the event of an unannounced quiz it will be worth a total of 25 points.
Thinking Papers - 3
Pay attention to the course schedule and listen during class. There will be 3 one-two page thinking papers. In each paper, you will be expected to briefly (4-5 sentences) summarize the reading, the guest speakersÕ comments, or the field trip; summarize other concepts or theories; summarize other points of view concerning the topic; and finally, summarize your thinking regarding the activity.
The "Total Program"
Understanding how FFA, SAE programs and classroom instruction fit together is one of the major objectives of this course. This assignment will help you in understanding and developing a plan for what a "Total Program" should look like. Explanation and hand-outs will be given in class
Record Book Ð Hard and Soft Copy
When students conduct SAE projects at the high school level they are expected to keep detailed records of their finances and activities with the FFA Record Book. Traditionally these have been hard publications, but for the past few years Georgia has been utilizing a soft copy (electronic). This is your opportunity to experience the hard and soft record books and how they work. Explanation and hand-outs will be given in class
Build a FFA web site
As the role of technology continues to grow in Agricultural Education so does the need for Agriscience Teachers to know how to effectively use that technology. Handouts and a rubric will be provided for this assignment where you will be expected to create a department web site for your agriculture department.
Mini Lessons Ð 3
During this course you will be assigned a specific SAE, CDE or LDE that you will develop a lesson on. You will research the topic, develop a lesson plan, and teach the rest of your classmates about your assigned topic. Do not worry about the GSAMS equipment; a facilitator will be there to run the equipment for you. A scoring rubric and guidelines will be provided in class.
Community and School Snap Shot
The community and school snap shot is designed to help you determine what the needs of your schoolÕs community are. You will be provided a list of questions, some of which you will develop, to help you in determine what the "ideal" agriculture program for your community will be.
Proficiency Award Completion
Each year thousands of agriculture students with the help of their teachers complete proficiency award applications in hopes of receiving recognition for all of the hard work they have invested in their SAE programs though out the year. This will be your opportunity to experience the application process.
Final Exam
The final exam is scheduled for 12/16 and will be cumulative.
Additional Activities:
Assist in Judging FFA CDEs and/or LDEs Ð 50 points
Throughout the course of the year there will be several opportunities to attend and judge FFA events. Throughout the course of this semester you will need to assist in the administration of at least two FFA CDE and/or LDE events. You will be notified of opportunities to assist throughout the semester.
Attend two FFA CDE and/or LDE team practices Ð 50 points
Throughout the course of the semester attend at least two FFA CDE and/or LDE team practices at the high school level.
Attend State FFA Convention Ð 50 points
Attendance, participation, and service at the Georgia State FFA Convention.
In class Participation Ð 200 points
Attendance and in class participation are expected. Attendance is worth 100 points while participation is worth an additional 100 points.
Course Policies:
Attendance:
Attendance is expected and is a part of your grade. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class and students will be expected to be in class on time. Legitimate emergencies which prevent your attendance to class will be dealt with on an individual basis.
Participation:
Students are expected to participate in classroom discussions, and in the sharing of ideas and points of view. This will not only enhance what you get out of the course, but will also enhance the course for your fellow students. Make every attempt to be in class on time and actively participate.
Academic Misconduct:
Cheating or plagiarism will be reported using official University Procedures. All academic work must meet the standards contained in "A Culture of Honesty." Each student is responsible to inform themselves about those standards before performing any academic work. With this class in particular students should be aware that calls to schools to check up on student hours are very common.
Food and Drink in the Classroom:
University policy prohibits smoking, food or drink in all labs and classrooms.
Appointment:
We have an open-door policy and welcome you in our offices any time, but it is best to make an appointment for important matters because we could be out of our offices teaching other classes or visiting teachers around the state.
Grading:
| Assignment | Points |
| Assist in Judging FFA CDEs and/or LDEs | 50 |
| Attend two FFA CDE and/or LDE team practices | 50 |
| Attend State FFA Convention | 50 |
| In class Participation | 200 |
| Quiz | 100 |
| Thinking Papers - 3 | 50 |
| The "Total Program" | 50 |
| Record Book Ð Hard and Soft Copy | 100 |
| Build a FFA web site | 50 |
| Mini Lessons - 3 | 100 |
| Community and School Snap Shot | 50 |
| Proficiency Award Completion | 100 |
| Final Exam | 50 |
| Total | 1000 |
All assignments are due on the day announced by the instructor. Five points will be deducted for each school day an assignment is late up to one week. After one calendar week from the due date no credit will be given for late work. No work will be accepted after final exams. This will be adhered to strictly.
Assignments will be graded on professionalism, spelling, grammar, completeness, and how well the student addressed the objectives of the assignment. Unless otherwise stated, all statements are to be "word processed" or typed.
A > 90%
B 80% - 89%
C 70% - 79%
D 60% - 69%
F > 59%
All students planning on student teaching must receive a "C" or better in order to be eligible for student teaching in the fall.
Provisions for Students with Disabilities:
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe that you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact your instructor and make them aware of your needs.