Programmatic Involvement and Emerging Educational Outcomes: An Exploratory Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 3-16
Author(s):  
Aaron J. McKim ◽  
R. Bud McKendree
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Agricultural Education ◽  
Educational Outcomes ◽  
Student Involvement ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
National Level ◽  
Local Chapter ◽  
School Based ◽  
Recommendations For Practice

Preparing students in school-based agricultural education (SBAE) to respond to emerging challenges impacting – and being impacted by – agriculture, food, and natural resource systems (e.g., climate change, water scarcity, soil degradation) is essential. Therefore, student involvement in SBAE was investigated in relation to metacognition, problem-solving abilities, and systems thinking, three educational outcomes deemed "emerging" due to their necessity in addressing complex problems. Overall, results from this investigation suggest involvement in SBAE is related to higher levels of metacognition, problem-solving ability, and systems thinking when compared to no involvement. However, when comparing more advanced levels of involvement (e. g., participating in state or national level FFA contests) to foundational involvement (e.g., participating in local/chapter level FFA contests), advanced involvement did not consistently relate to increased attainment of the emerging educational outcomes. In congruence with the Theory of Student Involvement, recommendations for practice and research are highlighted. Principal among the recommendations is a call for educators to invest resources to encourage a broader range of students to be involved in SBAE at more foundational levels rather than investing resources in the advanced involvement of a select few students.

scholarly journals Metacognition, systems thinking, and problem-solving ability in school-based agriculture, food, and natural resources education

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-47
Author(s):  
Aaron McKim ◽  
Robert McKendree
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
School Students ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Student Responses ◽  
School Based ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Natural Resources Education

Problems within agriculture, food, and natural resource (AFNR) systems are increasingly complex, expanding the need for students to develop problem-solving abilities alongside an understanding of their own thinking. In this effort, we explored the problem-solving abilities, metacognition, and systems thinking of current AFNR secondary school students. A descriptive correlational study design was employed. Data were collected via an online, Qualtrics survey. Student responses on the metacognition, systems thinking, and problem-solving ability survey items suggested opportunities for increased focus on these areas throughout their educational experience. In addition, statistically significant relationships between metacognition and systems thinking and systems thinking and problem-solving ability reinforced the importance of these topics within AFNR Education. Recommendations emerging from this work include additional emphasis on metacognition, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills within secondary school AFNR classrooms; utilization of specific strategies to increase systems thinking; operationalizing specific strategies to increase metacognitive knowledge and metacognitive regulation; along with a cross-cutting recommendation for teachers to make their thinking more explicit during instruction to increase metacognition, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills among learners.

Systems thinking, a consilience of values and logic

2005 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 259-274
Author(s):  
Sameer Kumar ◽  
Thomas Ressler ◽  
Mark Ahrens
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Qualitative Reasoning ◽  
Colleges And Universities ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Modern World ◽  
Problem Solving Process ◽  
Problem Solvers

This article is an appeal to incorporate qualitative reasoning into quantitative topics and courses, especially those devoted to decision-making offered in colleges and universities. Students, many of whom join professional workforce, must become more systems thinkers and decision-makers than merely problem-solvers. This will entail discussion of systems thinking, not just reaching “the answer”. Managers will need to formally and forcefully discuss objectives and values at each stage of the problem-solving process – at the start, during the problem-solving stage, and at the interpretation of the results stage – in order to move from problem solving to decision-making. The authors suggest some methods for doing this, and provide examples of why doing so is so important for decision-makers in the modern world.

scholarly journals Understanding Extension for School-Based Agricultural Education #3: FFA and 4-H—A Comparison

EDIS ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Debra Barry ◽  
Alyssa J. Shepherd ◽  
Jennifer Patton ◽  
Stephen Gran
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Education ◽  
Educational Tool ◽  
School Based ◽  
Similarities And Differences

Even though many recognize FFA and 4-H, there is still a big disconnect in understanding the similarities and differences between them. This 4-page document serves as an educational tool for school-based agricultural education and 4-H programs, and provides a background of the history, characteristics, and membership process of these long-standing organizations. Written by Debra Barry, Alyssa Shepherd, Jennifer Patton, and Stephen Gran, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, September 2020.

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