Department of Agricultural Education & Studies

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Graduate Programs: Greg Miller 515-294-2583 / Undergraduate Programs: Mike Retallick 515-294-4810

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Graduate Student Scholarly Work

 

Brockshus, A.B. (2001). Perceptions of Iowa agricultural instructors regarding the focus and delivery of the Agricultural Educators Professional Development program. Master’s thesis.

The purpose of this study was to identify perceptions of teachers of agriculture regarding the focus and delivery of the Agricultural Educators Professional Development program in Iowa. The specific objectives of the study were as follows: 1) to describe the extent to which agricultural educators agree with selected aspects of an ideal professional development program; 2) to describe the extent to which agricultural educators agree with selected aspects of the Agricultural Educators Professional Development (AEPD) program; and 3) to compare perceptions based on selected demographic data.

The study was conducted using a descriptive survey method. A questionnaire consisting of three parts was mailed to all (330) high school and community college agricultural instructors in Iowa as identified by the Iowa Department of Education. The instructors were asked to rate a series of statements regarding their ideal professional development program and the AEPD program. These statements related to the focus (content areas) and delivery of the AEPD program. Respondents were asked for such demographic information as age, gender, years of teaching experience, level of teaching assignment, and size of enrollment in their agricultural programs.

The major findings of this study indicate that instructional materials, the use of agricultural technology, the opportunity for teaching license renewal, and flexibility in programming are key to successful professional development programming. The findings support the focus and delivery strategies of the AEPD program. The finding indicated a difference in the programmatic needs of educators based on their teaching assignments (high school or community college). Teachers indicated that there are differences between the ideal professional development program and the Agricultural Educators Professional Development program.