72 Keeping Animal Science Courses "Experiential" in an Online Classroom

Abstract

Abstract Mid-March 2020 saw the world come to a screeching halt, so-to-speak. Faculty, staff, and students suddenly found themselves in a virtual educational environment, many for the very first time. For educators in animal science and many other lab-based disciplines, this virtual environment presented some exceptional challenges, primarily, how to provide the “hands-on” activities that make up the very core of our discipline. Therefore, the objectives of this presentation are to share the experiences of the author and colleagues at the University of Tennessee at Martin and to allow members of the audience to share their ideas. In an effort to semi-replicate the in-person classroom experience, the author created “virtual” field trips, lab activities, and assignments. Examples included: having students create reproductive and gastrointestinal tract models using items in their home, performing diet formulation and ration balancing using cereal, candy, and pretzels, and the author filming animal handling and management techniques on her own livestock operation, among other things. While most of the activities worked well, others did not. While nothing can take the place of actual hands-on experiences, many of the virtual activities can still be used to supplement animal science courses.