Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Follow up to Session 3: What is the Pennsylvania FFA?

Thank you very much for a great class session!  Here is a link to the blog post following up on your Ticket out:

Course materials have been posted to Angel (https://cms.psu.edu)

Mr. Brammer, Chris Toevs, and Austin Shay have been cc’d on this email if you would like to add them to your contact information. The website for Pennsylvania FFA is: http://www.paffa.state.pa.us/

For Next Time:
·         Bring Reading provided from Session 2 (expectations, adolescent factors (pink)
·         Add 1 resource to each of the 10 essential elements posted in Angel under Weekly Web Wonder 1 ReDo: https://cms.psu.edu/section/default.asp?id=201314FAUP___RAEE__311_001

Other News:
Renee has informed me that in the time it took for us to complete our democratic process, someone else nabbed Ferguson 202. We will continue to meet in Ag Engineering 114 on Tuesdays and Ferguson 005 on Thursdays.

Suggestion:
Due to our use of AET in AEE 311, I strongly suggest you try to attend the following event from the Tuesday Teach Ag Email Blast- Thursday, September 5th-3:30 to 4:30 EDT - New Webinar Program called Thursday Teach Ag! Technical Updates. Join this webinar on Thursday by clicking https://meeting.psu.edu/teachag/. The speakers are Mr. John Hines from West Perry and Mr. Neil Fellenbaum from Penn Manor. Their topic is: Using the Ag Experience Tracker (AET). Contact: Dr. Foster (foster@psu.edu)

To address the Ticket Outs from Session 3:

 What are we curious about?
  • How to get chapter officers to "want" to do a POA?
    • I think structure goes a long way, hopefully the 7th class session on September 17th and the 9th & 10th class sessions the week of September 24th will help. Be sure to ask that question of our guest speakers.
  • What will I record in AET? How does AET work?
    • It can really be anything! Maybe start with "hours studying!" We just want you to play with the program 
  • ACES and SLLC
    • Both are Statewide FFA Conferences in the Spring. Student teachers are provided funding to attend one with their chapter. Other opportunities exist to help with Penn State Teach Ag!
  • For the web wonder where we are making Trivia Questions, do you want a formal APA citation or just the site/book and page number?
    • The site/book and page number will suffice
  • I am curious to why some schools with Ag Ed Programs still do not have FFA. What are their reasons?
    • They probably would site many, I would indicate a mis-communication or lack of understanding of how to use the powerful student development tool of a Career & Technical Student Organization (CTSO)
  • For Small FFA Chapter like mine back home, how else can they get money to support their program?
    • To know how else, we would need to know what they are doing currently. Creative ways abound! What we find is, when a school values something, they find a way. Examples can be:
  • FFA Chapter Meetings
  • How do you get students involved in FFA?
    • A well structured POA that shows opportunity for involvement can go a long way! We will also discuss recruitment and retention in our 27th session on December 3rd
  • Creating FFA Chapters in places that do no think they need them
    • The key is to avoid acronyms and jargon when sharing about opportunities. Talk in a language that appeals to the audience.
  • What time would we leave for the Trip to the BIG E in Springfield Mass?
    • I believe 5:00am on Friday, Sept 13 and return Sunday Evening
  • Is the AET program the one we are supposed to record something in every week about anything we choose?
    • Yes
  • I am wondering why we had such a "crappy" FFA chapter at my high school.
    • So much really depends on the FFA Advisor/Ag Teacher framing the opportunities and reaching students.
  • I am curious about which of the 10 components of a successful FFA Chapter is usually the weakest.
    • Suppose it just depends on the situation!
  • How does an Ag Program lose their Charter?
    • They do not pay dues, do not offer ag education classes or do not have an ag teacher.
  • Is it common for Ag Programs to now allow for College Placement/Advanced Placement students to be involved?
    • No. Some programs offer AP courses. Many programs have a great deal of students in this description.
  • How could a school with an Ag Program Charter an FFA Chapter?
What did you learn?
  • 10 Essential Elements of an FFA Chapter, including:
    1. Constitution and Bylaws
    2. Diversity of Membership
    3. Program of Activities
    4. Capable Officers
    5. FFA Knowledge
    6. Adequate Financing
    7. School & Community Support
    8. Sharing Responsibilities
    9. Proper Equipment & Records
    10. Regularly Held, planned Chapter Meetings
  • How much Ag Ed does Youth Development!
  • The bonuses w/ affiliate FFA Membership/About FFA Affiliate Membership
  • There are a lot of great ideas that arise from this class that I hope to put all together to one day create a dynamic program. 
  • 100% FFA Membership in Ag Ed Classrooms!
    • Remember, as an advisor you can create two levels of membership. General Membership and Active Membership with different rights for each.
  • SLLC is unique to PA!
  • You need to break the POA into three divisions (Student, Chapter, Community) and you have committees in each of those divisions to accomplish things!
  • I learned that as much as I would like to think a community will be able to make a successful program, in the end, it is the advisor that can make or break the situation.
What do you want to learn more about?
  • AET!!
  • Steps to become a State FFA Officer
  • What does it mean to have capable officers? In your opinion.
    • In my opinion that means three things:
      • Officers who know what their job is.
      • Officers who have been provided the training to do their job.
      • Officers who have the motivation to do their job right.
  • I want to learn more about how Ag Teachers balance the FFA with their everyday classes
    • Don't forget integrated. Often times, FFA becomes a part of your curriculum and lesson. 
    • You do not have to do it all..remember, a buffet
    • You develop student leaders who take ownership
    • You utilize community members and booster clubs
  • POA's! (Program of Activities), I have never had the experience of using a POA!
    • No worries, the 9th class session on September 24th and the 10th class session on September 26th will go a long ways to helping you!
  • Opportunities to be involved with activities and conferences of the FFA
    • Keep your eye on that Tuesday Teach Ag Email Blast!
  • The FFA Affliliate Membership Program
  • The FFA Advisor's role
    • The next class session will help!
  • I would like to learn more about lesson plans and how to develop them!
    • You will pick up some very basics in AEE 100 and go in depth in AEE 412!
  • What are the "descriptions" of the officers positions? Do their jobs vary from chapter to chapter?
  • I need to read more and learn more about the FFA
    • Well, the student handbook and official manual you were provided will go a long way in helping with this!!
  • Moodle Modules: Will we go over what is on the assignments or is it all self-paced online learning?
    • It is all self-paced online learning. Go Get em!
  • I want to learn more about starting up a new FFA Chapter.
  • What needs to be in a meeting agenda to make it a success?
  • AET: I signed in as a student and I wanted to do mine on research, but a lot of the tabs were about expenses. How do I gear it about research that does not involve $$?
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