Motivating Students to Conduct High-Quality Supervised Agricultural Experience Programs: A Collective Case Study
Keywords:
Supervised Agricultural Experiences, Motivation, Case Study, Agricultural Education, Achievement MotivationAbstract
Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) Programs are often regarded to be the most challenging component of the three-circle model of Agricultural Education. The literature reported a strong belief in the philosophy of SAE but a lack of engagement for teachers and students (Retallick, 2010; Wilson & Moore, 2007). This collective case study aims to provide a narrative for how successful teachers motivate students to engage in high-quality SAE programs. The data revealed that within the context of these three cases, requiring SAE as part of a grade, dedication of caring teachers, building SAE programs over time, being flexible in SAE categories, connecting to student interests, and intentional planning were key to successful SAE implementation. These results have implications for how teachers structure SAE programs in their classrooms, how teacher educators prepare pre-service teachers, and the direction of future research in SAE.
References
Bird, W., Martin, M. J., & Simonsen, J. C. (2013). Student motivation for involvement in supervised agricultural experiences: A historical perspective. Journal of Agricultural Education 58(1), 31-46. https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.2013.01031.
Croom, D. (2008). The development of the integrated three-component model of agricultural education. Journal of Agricultural Education, 49(1), 110-120. https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.200801110.
Dooley, K. E. (2007). Viewing agricultural education research through a qualitative lens. Journal of Agricultural Education, 48(4), 32-42. https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.2007.04032.
Dyer, J. E., Hasse-Wittler, P. S. & Washburn, S. G. (2003). Structuring agricultural education research using conceptual and theoretical frameworks. Journal of Agricultural Education, 44(2), 61-74.
Dyer, J. E., & Osborne, E. W. (1995). Participation in supervised agricultural experience programs: synthesis of research. Journal of Agricultural Education, 36(1), 6-14. https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.1995.01006.
Dyer, J. E., & Osborne, E. W. (1996). Developing a model for supervised agricultural experience program quality: A synthesis of research. Journal of Agricultural Education. 37(2), 24-33.
Dyer, J. E., & Williams, D. L. (1997). Benefits of supervised agricultural experience programs: a synthesis of research. Journal of Agricultural Education, 38(4), 50-58. https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.1997.04.050.
Lincoln, Y. S. & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Sage Publications.
National Council for Agricultural Education. (2015). Philosophy and guiding principles for execution of the supervised agricultural experience component of the school based agricultural education Program. Retrieved from: https://www.ffa.org/SiteCollectionDocuments/sae_guiding_principles.pdf.
Phipps, L. J., Osborne, E. W., Dyer, J. E., & Ball, A. (2008). Handbook on agricultural education in public schools (6th ed.). Thompson Delmar Learning.
Retallick, M. C. (2010). Implementation of supervised agricultural experience programs: The agricultural educators' perspective. Journal of Agricultural Education, 51(4), 59-70. https://doi.org/10.5031/jae.2010.04059.
Roberts, T. G., Dooley, K. E., Harlin, J. F., & Murphrey, T. P. (2007). Competencies and traits of successful agricultural science teachers. Journal of Career and Technical Education, 22(2), 6-17. Retrieved from: https://ejournals.lib.vt.edu/index.php/JCTE/article/view/ 455/399.
Rubenstein, E. D., Thoron, A. C., Conclasure, B. C., Gordon, J. A. (2016). Supervised agricultural experience programs: An examination of the development and implementation of urban programs. Journal of Agricultural Education, 57(4), 217-233. https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.2016.04217.
Rubenstein, E. D., & Thoron, A. C. (2014). Successful supervised agricultural experience programs as defined by American FFA degree star finalists. Journal of Agricultural Education, 55(3), 162-174. https://doi.org/ 10.5032/jae.2014.03162.
Rubenstein, E. D., Thoron, A. C., & Estepp, C. M. (2014). Perceived self-efficacy of preservice agriculture teachers toward specific SAE competencies. Journal of Agricultural Education, 55(4), 72-84. https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.2014.04072.
Schunk, D.H. (2012). Learning theories: An educational perspective. Pearson Education, Inc.
Stake, R. (2013). The art of case study research (pp. 49-68). Sage Publications.
Wilson, E. B., & Moore, G. E. (2007). Exploring the paradox of supervised agricultural experience programs in agriculture education. Journal of Agricultural Education, 48(4), 82-92. https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.2007.04082.
Yin, R. K. (2003). Case study research: Design and methods. Sage Publications.