Trends and Issues in Agricultural Education

The use and role of technology in teaching remains a topic of discussion among educators. There are a variety of opinions as to how much (or how little) technology should be used in teaching. In this lesson we will examine a variety of issues related to educational technology. As an agriculture teacher, you are expected to use educational technology.  The key question is "How much and what types of technology are appropriate?"

There is a saying that a person should either lead, follow, or get out of the way. In order to be a good leader or follower, one must be aware of the environment in which he or she exists. One cannot live in a vacuum. In this lesson we will also look at some trends and issues that could impact agricultural education.

1. Describe the role of technology in agricultural education.

2. Identify resources for keeping current with technological changes in the agricultural industry.

3. Describe some of the technologies useful to an agricultural education teacher.

4.  Identify 10 trends and/or issues that can impact on the future of agricultural education.
1. Does technology really help students learn? This is a common question asked by parents, teachers, school boards and others. In 1998 Education Week took at long look at this issue. An article on Techo to Tactile should provide some insight into this topic.

2. The National Technology Education Plan titled "e-Learning: Putting a World-Class Education At The Fingertips of All Children" contains 5 goals for the future of technology in education. As an educator, you should be familiar with these goals and this document.

3. Read "A New Model for Education" from the National Academy of Science web site - Reinventing Schools: The Technology is Now. (Note: After arriving at the home page click on the navigation menu and click on A New Model for Education.)

4. Review the article "Never Stop Growing" from ACTE's TECHNIQUES magazine.

5.Have you ever heard of a virtual high school? You might want to take a quick tour of several virtual high schools? How long will it be before we have a virtual agricultural school or a regular high school offering virtual agricultural courses?

6. If you really want to be on the cutting edge of technology you might subscribe to:
  • From Now On (The Educational Technology Journal) (it is free. There are some neat cartoons and other good information on this web site)
  • Syllabus (this is also free) - Even though this site is designed for higher education, it doesn't take long for technology first used at the university level, to move into the high school.
1.  Send an e-mail to your instructor describing the types of "educational technology" you have in your classroom.  List at least one advantage and one disadvantage of each. 

2.  List the major strategies you use to keep current on technological changes in agricultural education.

3.  Identify 10 issues/problems facing Agricultural Education teachers today in keeping up with technological changes.  What is the greatest technological issue (problem) facing Florida Agriscience teachers?  How can this issue/problem be solved?  Email your instructor with your responses.

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