Learning Agriculture Through Supervised Experiences Gary Briers and John Hall AGSC 327 Spring 2009

Today’s Objectives Discuss the philosophy and the theory that support SAEs List primary purposes of SAEs Describe benefits of SAEs Define the major types of SAEs Identify potential SAEs

Philosophy of SAE Pragmatism (primarily) Peirce, James, and Dewey What we do has a practical use/purpose; it works! Realism (science) Existentialism (do your thing) Idealism (strive for perfection)

Learning Theory Supporting SAE Experiential learning Learning by doing Permanent learning W. H. Lancelot Primary principles of interest Cone of experience Edgar Dale Direct, purposeful experiences

Where did the idea of SAE originate—directly and historically? Rufus W. Stimson Father of the “home project” Home project reinforced classroom instruction and provided practice Massachusetts, 1900s

Do SAEs have LEGISLATIVE roots? Smith-Hughes Act of 1917 “… directed or supervised practice in agriculture, either on a farm provided by the school or other farm, for at least six months per year.”

What are the purposes of SAE? Promote / cause learning! Apply concepts learned in class. Develop technical skills related to career success. Develop good personal habits and responsibility. Develop record keeping skills.

Program vs. Project (SAEP) P is for PROGRAM Activity vs. Records No records without the activity Practice/Application vs. Learning Is there any debate?

What are the benefits of SAEs—to the student? Contextualize learning (relevance). Help make career choices. Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Expand technical competence. Gain valuable experience. Earn money. Qualify for FFA degrees and awards.

What are the benefits of SAEs—to the teacher? Improve school/community relations. Enhance classroom instruction. Provide real-world application of content (“teachable moments”). Increase interest of students. Promote parental involvement. Develop public awareness of the program. Provide for year-round instruction.

What are the types of SAEPs? Entrepreneurial (ownership) Student owns all or part of the enterprise(s). Examples: Animal production enterprise Lawn care business Vegetable production enterprise Web-design business

What are the types of SAEPs? Placement Student works for an agricultural business/operation—paid or not. Examples: Work on a farm or ranch. Work at a feed store. Work at a tree nursery. Work for a web-design business.

What are the types of SAEPs? Exploratory Student undertakes activities to explore a job or a career. Examples: Shadow a veterinarian. Prepare a report on a job or a PPT on a career. Visit a college to talk about a major. Interview the manager of a floral shop.

What are the types of SAEPs? Improvement Student undertakes a project to improve the community, school, home. Examples: Landscape school grounds. Rewire an implement shed. Tile the kitchen floor. Build a new composting bin. Paint the four-wheeler trailer.

References Moore, G. E. (n.d.). Why SAE? Powerpoint Presentation from AAE 322. Raleigh: North Carolina State University. National Council for Agricultural Education. (1992). Experiencing agriculture: A handbook for supervised agricultural experience. Newcomb, L. H., McCracken, J. D., Warmbrod, J. R., & Whitington, M. S. (2004 ). Methods of teaching agriculture (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.