Foster Feedback - Responses to Lingering WBL questions

I reviewed the very creative stories with particular attention to the feedback and questions.

I appreciate your courage in being the "pioneers" of this learning activity. Your feedback has helped me ensure that it will be more successful in the future with some refinement and tweaking.

You had great questions that I wanted to respond to here. I strongly suggest you take time to review!

1. If you "push" a child to do something you think they will be good at and they fail, are you/can you still give them positive influence? Will they see you that way?
1. If you focus on the learning, are we failing if we are learning? Even if we are learning what not to do or what we do not enjoy!
2. What could be done in the situation of a "bully" student? What could the advisor say to a student who might be turned away because of the attitude of another?
1. This is a critical responsibility of a youth leader! You are responsible for ensuring a positive learning environment and a one-on-one conversation about positive expectations would need to occur with the accused bully and perhaps parents to see how we can help everyone be successful.
3. Are degrees and proficiencies the best way to measure the success of a student's SAE?
1. No, progress towards pre-developed learning outcomes is, but degrees and proficiency awards can assist us in benchmarks and formative assessment/feedback :)
4. If not all SAE's fit an award category, does that mean any idea centered around work-based learning can be an SAE project?
1. Any idea that advances a students learning and career exploration.
5. How can work-based learning be applied in the classroom without SAE inclusion?
1. Hmm...work-based learning is usually application of learning beyond the traditional classroom setting. Learn more here: https://www.careerwise.mnscu.edu/education/whatworkbased.html 
6. How do we help someone not in agriculture feel comfortable with SAE projects?
1. Provide proper scaffolding of expectations and exploration opportunities! SAE is not just for those in agriculture, but also to help students discover agriculture!
7. How can we provide students the necessary resources to grow their projects?
1. I think it is critical do the visits to be AWARE of needs and opportunities and than be creative with engaging partner/community volunteers through alumni groups and advisory boards. Our guest Speaker, Mr. Josh Rusk, in a week can help with this!
8. Why do we spend so much time on SAE when only one major assignment directly relates to SAE?
1. Actually, Assignments 4, 6, 7 and 8 all relate to SAE equaling 35% of the final grade. SAE is a MAJOR critical component of successful youth development through agricultural education.
9. Can a student have the opportunity to work in several different fields to test the ground and see what the different occupations are like?
1. ABSOLUTELY!! (this is really a primary purpose of our work-based learning in ag (SAE), CAREER EXPLORATION)
10. How long should an SAE be?
1. As long as needed for a student achieve desired learning outcomes.
11. How could you encourage other teachers (other subjects) to use WBL in their class? Examples of how WBL would look in a Math class?
1. You know, this is a very, very tough question to answer. The key to WBL learning is application to careers in authentic settings.
12. What is the 1st step in beginning successful work-based learning programs?
1. I believe it involves two things:
1. Clarity of Expectations - What are trying to accomplish...answering the WHY
2. Accountability - Follow through with meeting expectations
13. Does a failed project really mean you did not learn?
1. Absolutely NOT, we learn so much when we learn what "does not work"!
14. If a Student does not enjoy SAE (hates it) do you push them to continue?
1. I think it is about making sure that a Student is focused on the WHY of SAE and helping them find that success. Who can hate doing something that helps yourself? If a Student "hates" SAE, maybe the teacher has not connected the WHY enough
15. Is WBL only about the 3-circle model?
1. Nope. WBL occurs in many disciplines
16. Are there Career Technical Centers (or vocational schools) geared more towards agriculture?
1. Sure! There are great CTCs focused on Vet Science or Horticulture. Here is one example: http://www.essextech.net/cte/animal-and-plant-sciences/ 
17. How many projects can a student have at one time?
1. As many as needed to accomplish desired learning outcomes.
18. Do all SAEs have to be directly connected to lessons taught in the classroom?
1. I decided to take this one to Facebook Peeps. See Answers Below.

Week 5 Ticket Out Response

Week 5 Ticket Out Responses

What are you curious about?

• I am curious about the development of a POA
• Great! Doing assignment 3 will help and you can discuss at Recitation.
• The line between a "guide" and a "director"
• Comes from experience but you can accelerate by asking current ag teachers!
• How do you make a POA fun?
• If you think it is fun and you have fun, you students will probably have fun
• How to effectively write Grant Applications
• You know..that would be an AWESOME PINK TIME idea.
• How many fundraisers are too many?
• When it does not have educational value
• What is the most important part of the POA?
• Student Involvement
• When did "National Teach Ag Day" Begin?
• 2010
• Would a good model of a POA have one officer at head of each committees?
• Maybe...it depends :)
• How much do you talk to Administration about POA?
• You keep them in the loop! They love knowing and hate surprises!

What did you learn?

1. Chapters build their POA around a committee structure
2. Must Give Ownership to the the Students!
3. Purpose of POA
4. POA Resource Guide
5. Google Hangout can provide challenges
6. NFFA revised the Chapter Award Program for 2017
7. Student Voice drives Student Agency
8. POA = Transparency with Partners!

What do you want to learn more about?

• I want learn more about each of the areas of POA (divisions, standards, etc)!!
• Check out the resources provided by Ms. Genson for 2017 and ahead: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9rwwS2lj61cMkZsM2Nkbmh1TUU 
• Why NFFA decided to change their divisions?
• hmm...why don't you email or call Ms. Genson? jgenson@ffa.org
• Unique Student SAEs and how they connect to curriculum
• We have a great deal of instruction in October on this, guest bloggers, and here is a cool website: http://www.offincome.com/category/ffa-sae-2/

Week 2 - Weekly Ticket Out Response from Foster

Here is the first round of being responsive to your questions as we cultivate a growth mindset in AEE 311!

Hint: Always google our guest speakers :)

What are you curious about?

• POA Standards: Should we give students a blank slate or previous example to edit?
• It depends :). Great question for our guest speaker in the 9th session (Sept 20) - Ms. Stephanie Joliff or our 10th session speaker (Sept 22) - Ms. Jenna Genson! 
• I am curious about 4-H
• Great Org! Be sure to look at the YouTube playlist and here is link to learn more: http://4-h.org/ 
• How to be a better teacher
• Practice! (and there are other classes..ie AEE 412!)
• Using the 7 Factors/Features/Concepts of Adolescent Youth Development
• Think about how you could apply that knowledge through our projects!
• The Story of who influenced YOU



Dr. Billye Foster, ddf12's mom! 

• Well, that is hard one..it truly took a village, but I will share that my hero/role model has been by Mother! (yes, a momma's boy). She was the 2nd female ag teacher in Texas and 1st in single teacher program, so she has always been a pioneer. She was an Agricultural Teacher Educator and now is in administration at Tennessee Tech.
•  The other features, I would like to read about the other six I did not have.
• Here is a direct link to the google drive file: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B9rwwS2lj61cRW1rTnJQSUMwN00
• Ways in which to incorporate these concept to industry and adult learners.
• I would love to continue this conversation and have you share! Great idea!
• How do I make sure every student feels welcome and wanted?
• You will find your groove and way. 1st step - Know their names!!! Greet at Door!
• What about these 10 features?
• Come to class on Tuesday, September 6th!
• What can a student do in FFA?
• Make sure you ready to ask the State FFA Officers and our Creed Speaker on Tuesday, but also check out www.ffa.org
• Do AET and My Journey from FFA Connect?
• Some...but they are still working on this :) Great question for Mr. Bledsoe when he comes in on November 10th.
• How did the seven features get identified?
• Each one is substantiated by research! Research, research, research :)

What did you learn?

1. The interconnection of the 7 factors/features of adolescent youth development:
1. Sense of Industry & Competency
2. Sense of Control over One's Fate
3. Connectedness to Others
4. Sense of Identity
5. Societal Context
6. Family Context
7. Peer Context
2. There is much to being a great Ag Teacher!
3. Experiential Learning Theory
4. Motivation: Intrinsic vs Extrinsic
5. Why youth leadership dev?
6. Ag Experience Tracker (AET) exists!!!

What do you want to learn more about?

Dr. Erica Thieman,
University of Illinois

• FFA History!
• You are really going to enjoy our 6th session (September 8) and our 7th session (September 13th)!
• History of FFA Degrees (I am researching for more info!)
• Constitution and Bylaws!
• The 7 Concepts/Features/Factors of Adolescent Youth Development
• We will continue to connect them through the lens of our projects!
• How do we use them? (practice!)
• How do we address diversity?
• We have a great session as our 12th session on September 29th with Dr. Eric Thieman from the University of Illinois (Look her up!!)
• Elements of an Essential FFA Chapter!
• Yay for Session 5 with the PA State FFA Officers on Tuesday.
• How can I engage with Youth Activities?
• Talk to Foster and we can identify volunteer opportunities!
• How do High School Students learn about animal science and farming?
• Hmm...when we get to SAE, Degrees, and Proficiency Awards, pay attention!
• How do I become an FFA Advisor?
• You need to be a certified Ag Teacher! Talk to Dr. Foster. You can major AEE, double major, or do a post-bac certification program.
• What doe an FFA Advisor do?
• Next week!
• AET
• We will...just make sure you clicking and trying!