Agricultural Mechanics Laboratory Research Articles

Hearing Education in Agriculture: Re-Evaluating Interest, Needs, and Growth

Highlights Agricultural mechanic student’s perceptions of noise levels are above recommended exposure limit. Direct and indirect exposure to decibel levels in a laboratory setting aids in shaping student perceptions. Student perceptions can be affected by changes in course instruction. Abstract. Safety in agricultural laboratories is of the highest concern for teachers and instructors. While there is a known safety concern with hearing in agriculture, a deficiency in the attitudes and perceptions relating to the output of decibels of tools in agricultural laboratory settings has been identified. This research focuses on hearing and noise levels in an agricultural mechanics laboratory by exposing students directly and indirectly to noise levels through project-based learning and informational posters throughout the laboratory. Pre- and post-course data are used to address students' perceptions of noise level outputs and willingness to wear hearing protection. Pre-course responses show a disconnect between perceptions of noise levels and the given threshold for wearing hearing protection. This perception gap closed over the semester as post-course responses show an increase in correct tool to threshold responses. The frequency of responses aligned with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's recommended hearing protection threshold also shows growth. While there is still a knowledge gap that needs to be addressed, we feel that the exposure provided through both direct and indirect instruction throughout the course can lead to knowledge gained and perceptions changed. Keywords: Agricultural mechanics, Attitudes, Perceptions, Safety.

Laboratory Management Needs of Iowa School-Based Agricultural Mechanics Teachers

Further investigation is needed to determine the specific laboratory management needs of agricultural education teachers. The theoretical foundation which guided this study was Bandura's theory of self-efficacy (1997). To further align this theory with this study, researchers explored the beliefs and one's capabilities to organize and excute the course of action to manage an agricultural mechanics laboratory. The research objectives for this study were: Determine the self-perceived level(s) of importance and ability as related to agricultural mechanics laboratory management competencies and determine the professional development needs of Iowa school-based agricultural education teachers regarding agricultural mechanics laboratory management competencies. Results of the Mean Weighted Discrepancy Scores (MWDS) indicated teacher's greatest in-service needs revolved around hazardous laboratory conditions and materials. The competencies which ranked the highest included correcting hazardous laboratory conditions, safely disposing of hazardous materials, properly installing and maintaining safety devices and emergency equipment, safely handling hazardous materials, and safely storing hazardous materials. Agricultural education teachers need professional development in the realm of hazardous conditions within the confines of an agricultural mechanics laboratory and handling hazardous materials. Working with hazardous materials is a critical competency agricultural educators must have when managing any type of laboratory.

Examining University-level Agricultural Students' Safety Climate Attitudes in the Agricultural Mechanics Labratory

Educational laboratory management is a paramount issue in agricultural education settings. Agricultural mechanics laboratories are found in many agricultural education programs. One of the most important issues an instructor in agricultural education settings faces is safety in the agricultural mechanics laboratory. Identifying and cultivating a culture of safety in students early on is key to reducing injuries and accidents. The purpose of this study was to gauge safety climate attitudes within a university-level agricultural mechanics laboratory. The population for this study was university-level agricultural students who were enrolled in two agricultural mechanics courses. Through the lens of Ajzen’s (1991) theory of planned behavior, the students’ safety climate attitudes were assessed by the Safety Climate Attitudes Questionnaire. The highest mean scores were found in the constructs of Personal Motivation for Safe Behavior and Positive Safe Practices. The lowest mean scores were found within the constructs of Risk Justification and Fatalism. We recommend that further study of this topic be conducted in additional agricultural education settings to understand students’ attitudes toward safety in laboratory environments.

Influences on the Perceived Comfort and Training Level of Personal Protective Equipment in the Missouri High School Agricultural Mechanics Laboratory

Agricultural mechanics instruction includes a broad array of machinery, structures, and technical systems, as well as a diverse workforce. Virtually every aspect of agriculture has a mechanics component and a large portion of secondary agriscience curriculum is devoted specifically to teaching agricultural mechanics. Further, the agricultural mechanics laboratory provides students with an opportunity to learn through authentic learning scenarios. The purpose of this research is to investigate Missouri high school agricultural mechanics students’ safety knowledge and safety attitudes. Researchers identified an increase in female students enrolling in agricultural mechanics coursework. This study also concludes students perceive they receive minimal training, access, and/or use of hearing and air quality PPE. It was concluded the factors of age, gender, semesters of agricultural mechanics courses, and agricultural education district have limited ability to explain differences in in student’s PPE knowledge or PPE comfort. Moreover, researchers identified implications of changing demographics on PPE design and usability, both in the laboratory and the workplace. Future research should be conducted regarding regarding PPE design, transfer of perceptions, and what PPE is needed by both teachers and students.

Early Field Experience Course Students’ Perceptions of School-based Agricultural Education Laboratory Environments

Laboratory instruction is an important component of school-based agricultural education (SBAE) programs (Phipps, Osborne, Dyer, & Ball, 2008). Early field experience (EFE) coursework can be an important component of agricultural teacher preparation programs (Retallick & Miller, 2007). Through the use of a modified photovoice technique, we sought to identify the perceptions of students (i.e., preservice teachers) enrolled in an EFE course in relation to the laboratory environment component of the SBAE model. Students enrolled in a 40-hour EFE course photographed a laboratory environment at their placement site and completed a 250-word descriptive/reflective summary of the laboratory. Through open coding of the summaries, three prominent themes emerged: 1) project-based learning is widely used for instructional purposes; 2) laboratory environments are set up and arranged in particular fashions based on needs; and 3) laboratory environments are arranged as settings for effective learning. Within the photographs, the agricultural mechanics laboratory was most commonly identified as a laboratory environment. The EFE students identified laboratory environments are not always traditional in their scope, and classrooms can serve as laboratory environments. We recommend photovoice be further used as a tool to explore students’ perceptions of the realities of modern SBAE programs.

Concerns of Female Preservice Teachers in Teaching and Supervising the Agricultural Mechanics Laboratory

Agricultural mechanics is a top career choice among secondary students enrolled in agricultural programs. Secondary agricultural mechanics teachers provide hands-on skill instruction with shielded metal arc welders, oxyfuel torches, and various hand tools in their agricultural mechanics laboratories. Preservice agriculture teachers have reported lack of preparation to adequately teach in this potentially dangerous environment. This qualitative case study explored the concerns of preservice teachers about teaching secondary students in the agricultural mechanics laboratory and how those concerns evolved over time. Researchers used a constructivist epistemology and open coding to identify and explore emergent themes. Three themes emerged from the data: 1) issues of trust and control in supervising laboratory students manifest themselves as a professional threat, 2) mechanics skill and supervisory skill development coincided with a change in focus toward student safety and learning, and 3) the agricultural mechanics laboratory provides unique instructional challenges and opportunities. Although each preservice teacher differed in their development, the authors identified persistent issues with agricultural mechanics skill knowledge and student trust.

Teacher-perceived Adequacy of Tools and Equipment Available to Teach Agricultural Mechanics

Agricultural mechanics is an important component of a well-rounded school-based agricultural education (SBAE) program. Within agricultural mechanics courses lies a plethora of topics and skills to be covered. Adequate tools and equipment are vital in preparing students to fill an expanding, 21st century workforce. The issue of inadequate teaching materials has been well documented throughout the entire educational system, and such inadequacies may leave gaps in students’ ability to become proficient within agricultural mechanics. A paper-based questionnaire was distributed to all teachers in attendance at the Iowa teachers’ conference. This descriptive study sought to identify teacher-perceived adequacy of available tools and equipment to teach agricultural mechanics in Iowa. The researchers found that many agricultural education teachers in Iowa are ill-equipped to teach many concepts within agricultural mechanics due to a reported lack of adequate tools and equipment. Agricultural education teachers in SBAE programs should ensure adequate tools and equipment to meet curricular and industry standards. It is recommended to examine purchasing decisions of tools for inclusion in the agricultural mechanics laboratory as well.

Does Agricultural Mechanics Laboratory Size Affect Agricultural Education Teachers' Job Satisfaction?

Secondary agricultural education teachers were surveyed to examine if a relationship existed between the physical attributes of agricultural mechanics laboratories and agricultural education teachers’ enjoyment of teaching agricultural mechanics. Teachers also indicated their competence to teach courses other than agricultural mechanics within the agricultural education curriculum, perceived importance of Iowa agricultural education curricula, and training an agricultural mechanics Career Development Event (CDE) team. Responses were collected from 103 Iowa agricultural education teachers. It was found that shop size and the age of the shop did not have a correlation between agricultural education teachers’ enjoyment of teaching agricultural mechanics, competence in other courses, importance of agricultural mechanics, or training a team to compete in the state CDE. Teachers’ enjoyment of teaching agricultural mechanics was positively correlated to the size of the budget for consumables and equipment for their agricultural mechanics laboratory. Researchers recommend that further research be conducted to identify factors which motivate agricultural education teachers who teach agricultural mechanics within secondary agricultural education programs

Laboratory Safety Needs of Kentucky School-Based Agricultural Mechanics Teachers

The frequency and severity of accidents that occur in the agricultural mechanics laboratory can be reduced when these facilities are managed by educators who are competent in the area of laboratory safety and facility management (McKim & Saucier, 2011). To ensure teachers are technically competent and prepared to manage an agricultural mechanics laboratory, teacher educators and state supervisory staff must provide a comprehensive preservice education and professional development opportunities in the area of agricultural mechanics that improve teacher retention, program continuity, and ensure a future supply of fully qualified and highly motivated teachers (Osborne, 2007; Saucier, Terry, & Schumacher, 2009). In this study, data were collected with a web-based questionnaire designed to determine Kentucky agriculture teachers’ perceptions of the importance of 14 agricultural mechanics laboratory safety competencies and their self-assessed ability to perform those competencies. The Borich (1980) Needs Assessment Model was used to assess these teachers’ needs. Researchers found subjects were in need of continuing education in the area of laboratory safety. To improve teachers competence, educators should receive professional development through technical workshops, winter and summer conferences, and via webinars (Barrick, Ladewig, & Hedges, 1983; Birkenholz & Harbstreit, 1987; McKim & Saucier, 2011; Saucier, et al., 2009).

Understanding Authentic Assessment in a Secondary Agricultural Mechanics Laboratory: An Instrumental Case Study

The instrumental case study reported here adds to the literature on authentic assessment by illuminating how one secondary agricultural education instructor employed authentic assessment in the agricultural mechanics laboratory. The study was underpinned by the constructivist notion of authentic learning and assessment, or allowing students to perform what they can do. Multiple sources of data regarding assessment practices were collected from an exemplary secondary agricultural mechanics instructor who demonstrated model authentic assessment behavior by (1) setting high and fair expectations for students, (2) establishing a progressive hierarchy of skills for students to master, (3) providing continuous feedback so that students had knowledge of their progress, and (4) being committed deeply to students’ success. The four themes resonated with previous literature and provided the foundation for a pragmatic model of authentic assessment in the secondary agricultural mechanics laboratory. Future research should focus on refining the model of authentic assessment in agricultural mechanics for a larger audience, as case studies are limited in their ability to generalize. Additionally, research should be conducted to determine how authentic assessment impacts student performance on Oklahoma Agricultural Power and Technology competency examinations.

A 20-Year Comparison of Teachers’ Agricultural Mechanics Laboratory Management Competency

Agricultural mechanics laboratory management skills are essential for school-based agriculture teachers who instruct students in an agricultural mechanics laboratory (Bear & Hoerner, 1986). McKim and Saucier (2011) suggested the frequency and severity of accidents that occur in these laboratories can be reduced when these facilities are managed by educators who are competent and knowledgeable in the area of laboratory safety and facility management. This study investigated changes in Missouri agriculture teachers’ perceived agricultural mechanics laboratory management competency from 1989 to 2008, percent changes between 1989 and 2008 and effect size were used to describe changes in importance and ability of the selected competencies. Results indicated that teachers in 2008 had more teaching experience than their predecessors, less university semester credit hours of agricultural mechanics instruction, taught courses with greater student enrollment in laboratories that had less workingspace per student. Further, teachers’ perceptions of the importance of agricultural mechanics laboratory management competencies had a negligible change. However, the changes in teachers’ perceived ability to perform development, writing, and planning competencies were notable.

A Multi–State Factor–Analytic and Psychometric Meta–Analysis of Agricultural Mechanics Laboratory Management Competencies

For more than 20 years, the 50 agricultural mechanics laboratory management competencies identified by Johnson and Schumacher in 1989 have served as the basis for numerous needs assessments of secondary agriculture teachers. This study reevaluated Johnson and Schumacher’s instrument, as modified by Saucier, Schumacher, Funkenbusch, Terry, and Johnson (2008), to reduce the number of competencies and update the constructs of agricultural mechanics laboratory management competencies through factor–analytic and psychometric analyses. Five–hundred and three in–service secondary agriculture teachers from six states, surveyed between the spring of 2008 and the spring of 2010, served as the population for this study. As a result, the 70 agricultural mechanics laboratory management competencies included in the instrument modified by Saucier et al. (2008) were reduced to 33 competencies, in eight constructs. A further outcome was reflected in the psychometric evaluation of the eight constructs, which resulted in acceptable internal consistency reliabilities that ranged from .82 to .96. Multi–state benchmarks for agricultural mechanics laboratory management abilities of secondary agriculture teachers were also proposed. The results further indicated that the revised constructs were appropriate to assess agricultural mechanics laboratory management competencies across Huberman’s (1989) five teacher career stages.

Assessing the Learning Needs of Student Teachers in Texas Regarding Management of the Agricultural Mechanics Laboratory: Implications for the Professional Development of Early Career Teachers in Agricultural Education

Skills needed to manage a laboratory are essential knowledge for all school–based, agriculture teachers who instruct agricultural mechanics curriculum (Saucier, Terry, & Schumacher, 2009). This research investigated the professional development needs of Texas agricultural education student teachers regarding agricultural mechanics laboratory management. Data were collected with a mailed questionnaire to determine student teachers’ perceptions of the importance of 70 agricultural mechanics laboratory management competencies and their self–assessed ability to perform those competencies. The Borich (1980) Needs Assessment Model was used to assess and evaluate the professional development needs of these student teachers. The study found that these student teachers were in need of professional development in many areas of laboratory management, such as diagnosing malfunctioning laboratory equipment, repairing laboratory equipment, and administering first aid.

Agricultural Mechanics Laboratory Management Professional Development Needs of Wyoming Secondary Agriculture Teachers

Accidents happen; however, the likelihood of accidents occurring in the agricultural mechanics laboratory is greatly reduced when agricultural mechanics laboratory facilities are managed by secondary agriculture teachers who are competent and knowledgeable. This study investigated the agricultural mechanics laboratory management in-service needs of Wyoming secondary agriculture teachers who are responsible for managing agricultural mechanics laboratories. Data were collected with a Web-based questionnaire designed to determine teachers’ perceptions of the importance of 70 selected agricultural mechanics laboratory management competencies and their self-assessed ability to perform those competencies. The Borich (1980) needs assessment model was used to assess and evaluate the in-service needs of the teachers. This study found that Wyoming secondary agriculture teachers were in need of agricultural mechanics laboratory management in-service education in the areas of: first aid, correcting hazardous laboratory conditions, and general laboratory safety. Wyoming teacher educators, state agricultural education supervisory personnel, and local professional development coordinators should provide pertinent and continuous in-service education for Wyoming secondary agriculture teachers in the area of agricultural mechanics laboratory management through technical workshops, summer professional development conferences, and university instructed agricultural mechanics courses.

Analysis Of Laboratory Management Competencies In Nebraska Agricultural Education Programs

Effective scheduling and management of the agricultural mechanics laboratory is a must for carrying out an effective instructional program (Shinn, 1987; Bear & Hoemer, 1986). The ability to manage laboratory learning was rated as a highly important ability for agriculture teachers by first-year agriculture teachers (Barrick and Powell, 1986). Agriculture instructors must be prepared so they possess and practice laboratory management competencies in order to maximize the opportunity for student learning (Henderson, 1983). Johnson and Schumacher (1989) defied laboratory management competencies as those abilities needed by secondary agriculture teachers to direct, conduct, or administer an agricultural mechanics laboratory.

Agricultural Mechanics Specialists Identification and Evaluation of Agricultural Mechanics Laboratory Management Competencies: A Modified Delphi Approach

This exploratory study assessed the perceived levels of importance and competence of student teachers in agricultural education regarding their ability to teach across the National Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) Career Pathways. Using a congruent, parallel mixed-methods design, data were collected from 16 student teachers through questionnaires, interviews, and researcher field notes. Descriptive statistics and eclectic coding were used to explain the quantitative and qualitative findings. Though the study’s findings should not be generalized, such were examined using a needs assessment model to identify the competence needs of student teachers in regard to teaching across the eight National AFNR Career Pathways. Student teachers perceived all pathways to be important to teach but varied in their perceptions of competence to do that. Recommendations are offered for additional research and future practice.