Owl Pellets: Tips for Ag Teachers

Herding Knowledge: Making the Most of SBAE Classroom and Laboratory Instruction

Ready to fine-tune your classroom and lab skills? Ryan Best, Iowa State University, digests key research on essential instructional practices in School-Based Agricultural Education (SBAE)! We'll explore how effective teaching aligns with the eight AFNR career pathways, covering everything from supervising labs and managing equipment to recruiting students and adapting to hybrid learning. Discover the practical strategies and adaptable approaches you need to meet diverse student needs, boost achievement, and find greater satisfaction in your vital role as an ag teacher. 

 

Journal Article

How Learning Works: Introduction

Another season, another mini-series! This season, Brian, Becky, and Mike are diving into how learning works. Throughout this mini-series, they will dive deep into the book "How Learning Works: 8 Research-Based Principles for Smart Learning." Marsha Lovett, Michael Birdges, Michele DiPietro, Susan Ambrose, and Maria Norman focused this book on making learning work for you and your students! Come along as Brian, Becky, and Mike break down this book and its concepts. 

SAE Supercharge: Grading, Tech, and Student-Driven Growth

Ever wondered how FFA, classroom, and SAEs really impact student growth? In this week's episode, Tiffany Marzolino, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, explores ag teachers' perceptions of student development across the three-circle model! Discover why the classroom often leads, but how grading SAEs and using tech can supercharge their perceived impact. We'll also dive into making SAEs truly student-driven and navigating that biggest barrier: time. Get ready for practical tips to maximize your SAEs!

 

Journal Article: https://jae-online.org/index.php/jae/article/view/120

From the Farm to the Classroom: Using Clarkson's Farm for Agricultural Literacy

Ever thought about using Jeremy Clarkson to teach agriculture? This episode discusses fascinating research on how the TV series "Clarkson's Farm" impacted undergraduate students! Erica Summerfield, South Dakota State University, reveals how showing just two episodes sparked rich dialogue and boosted understanding of food systems, farming challenges, and rural life, even among students new to agriculture. Discover how popular media can be a powerful tool for your ag classroom to bridge knowledge gaps and make complex topics accessible and relatable for diverse learners.

 

Journal Article: https://jae-online.org/index.php/jae/article/view/2608

Digging Deeper: Bringing Land-Based Learning to Life in Ag Classrooms

Ever wondered how hands-on learning can transform students and your community? This episode digs into fascinating research on land-based learning! Aaron McKim and Abbey Palmer, from Michigan State University, share how connecting high schoolers with local agriculture boosts their leadership skills, sustainability awareness, and understanding of local food. Get ready for practical models to bring real-world impact into your ag classroom!

 

Resources: https://www.canr.msu.edu/uprc/land-based-learning-center-projects

Journal Article: https://jae-online.org/index.php/jae/article/view/2767 

Season 11 Introduction

We are back,... we are SO back! Brian, Becky, and Mike are super excited to be back with another season of Owl Pellets: Tips for Ag Teachers podcast. Be ready to tackle conversations over how learning works, getting beyond the walls of the classroom, adult partnerships, the donut model, how to communicate about your program, and many more exciting topics. You might even get to meet a member of the team who has been hiding behind the scenes for a few years. Happy listening, and here is to season 11! 

Supporting Males in Ag Ed Classrooms

Ag Ed is uniquely positioned to support boys in school. Stacy Vincent (University of Kentucky) joins the OP crew to share key findings from an experimental study looking at student performance in same-sex versus co-ed classrooms. Tune in to hear more about how students process and engage in school differently.

 

Journal article: https://jae-online.org/index.php/jae/article/view/122

To Those Concerned with Teacher Retention: Letter 9

The "To Those Concerned with Teacher Retention" mini-series highlights a series of vulnerable conversations in letter form to help us ask tough questions of the education career. The series will challenge listeners to consider new solutions, imagine "what ifs," and inform future directions for education. The full journal article includes appendices for further discussion, and we welcome you to use the following resources to respond with your own letter (https://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6YGn16kf2juTGZg) or other thoughts (https://padlet.com/ag_education/collective-thought-experiment-vu3pwzetg94qo2nt).

 

Journal Article: https://jae-online.org/index.php/jae/article/view/2604

Enhancing Classrooms with VR

Jamie Greig and his team at University of Tennessee knows implementing VR can feel intimidating, but with their guide to planning, process, and reflection, you'll be a VR implementation expert in no time.

 

Journal Article: https://agdevresearch.org/index.php/aad/article/view/353

Teacher Mobility: What does a career in education look like?

We'll just come right out and say it: Mobility might be a retention strategy. Becky Haddad (University of Nebraska-Lincoln) and Lavyne Rada (Co-Director of the Minnesota Teacher Induction Program) chat with Mike and Brian about reasonable retention, navigating the teaching career, and supporting newness across the career spectrum.

 

Journal Article: https://jae-online.org/index.php/jae/article/view/2471