Bringing You Along on the Quest to be a Tech Savvy Aggie…

In the spring of 2013, I set out to create a blog {E-Learn in Ag: A Quest to be Tech Savvy Aggie} to begin journaling ways of diversifying teaching techniques by integrating technology.  It began as an online notebook of sorts, but to also {hopefully} help fellow educators in their classroom.  Over the last several years, I have had the privilege of developing online curriculum and taking some post-masters courses in learning technologies.  I have learned a great deal about how effective online learning happens {and doesn’t}.  As I start this journey, I’m not sure how I feel about the title “technologist” - this implies I’m an expert in this field - but I would rather think of myself as a lifetime learner who is focusing efforts in the area of technology and to help out my fellow educators.  I am humbled and feel privileged to be asked to provide information to help my colleagues provide resources to ease the magnitude of responsibilities placed on ag teachers, find ways to be more effective educators, provide support for teacher evaluations and practically integrate technology in their classroom.  So, here we go….

After teaching for nine years in my hometown at the Juniata HS Agriculture program as a single teacher to my current role as a team member of four agriculture educators at Penn Manor High School, I have seen a wide array of differing opportunities available to educators and differences in technology utilization.  My perspective on technology is that no one technological tool will fix poor classroom pedagogy. I feel integrating technology is one more tool for your teacher toolbox.  If managed properly, it can be a way to more effectively manage time, assessments and student engagement.  In addition, I feel we must present students with as advanced technology as our districts will provide to keep them current so they are poised to be successful in future careers.  

In previous educational technology experiences, I have learned in some cases, we end up teaching the platform for the technology as opposed to effectively communicating the course content we want the student to master.  In this time period of teaching the platform (ie Moodle, Blackboard, or MindMeister), we lose them just as if we were standing in front of the room lecturing and dictating from a book with our kids slouched over in their seats daydreaming about what the coming weekend.  {Below is the visual I had of my classroom when things go wrong.}

Source:  Illustration Friday ®Charles Shultz

Through my series of blog posts, I will be covering the following general topics:

•   Easy classroom integration tools (Nearpod, Socrative, etc)
•   Why technology and SAMR Model of technology integration.
•   Google Drive and Education Tools
•   Open-Source vs iPad Technologies
•   Agriculture Apps
•   Moodle and Blackboard use in the classroom
•   Graphic design, video and using other types of media

I ask you to begin thinking about what you need help with in your classroom: “if I could only do this…it would be so much easier”.  Evaluate how you use technology in your classroom and what you would like to improve on.  In addition, I ask you to begin thinking about how social media plays a role in your agriculture program.  I would like to tailor blog posts to real-time problems and issues.

I hope what I have to offer will be of use to you in your classroom.  If you would like to see learning technology tidbits, follow me on Twitter @DGCornman.  

Yours in the Quest to be a Tech Savvy Aggie,

Diane Glock-Cornman

PSU Teach Ag! Technologist
@DGCornman

#psuaged15 Internship: Jillian Gordon, Pittsburgh Food Policy Council

Many members of #psuaged15 have been spending their summer interning at agricultural businesses all across the state. Jillian Gordon (@jillianpsu) is the intern working with Enhancing Food Security in the Northeast through the Penn State Extension Office in Allegheny County.

Jillian Gordon, 2015 student teacher

This internship is allowing Jillian to work on various projects that each provides a unique experience. A lot of the emphasis is put on exploring the different community gardens, farmers markets and co-ops around the city as well as meeting the stake holders who are working to promote these businesses and projects. Jill added “I also work to revitalize our Pittsburgh Food Policy Council social media accounts and dabble in some research as well. Currently we are working on researching different extension restructuring plans at land grant universities across the country.”

This internship is funded by a larger research project that is working to track where the food in the Northeast comes from. More specifically they are looking at the grocer in the Beechview community in Pittsburgh to see what is being sold, in what quantities and at what price.  This information is then compared to other sites in the Northeast to monitor food security and understand exactly where the food is coming from.

This position has opened Jill’s mind and completely changed her outlook on agriculture as a whole. “In today’s modern world, agriculture is no longer just large farms producing food for our millions of people, agriculture is extremely diverse and has the potential to be understood and practiced by everyone in this country”

The internship has given Jillian real, hands on experience to what urban agriculture looks like which could beneficial to the grad position specializing in urban agriculture education that Jill has her eye on at the University of Georgia.

To learn more about starting on the path to having a career that makes a positive impact on the lives of students across the globe by becoming an agricultural educator, please contact the agricultural teacher education program at teachag@psu.edu. Follow us on Twitter at TeachAgPSU, on Facebook, or on our blog!

Laura Metrick

Student Blogger

2015 Student Teacher 

@Its_LauraBeth

Community & Agriculture: Jasmine Graybill's Internship

2015 Student Teacher
Jasmine Graybill 

Whether you are in a rural area or an urban one, Agriculture Education and community go hand in hand. Over the summer, 2015 student teacher, Jasmine Graybill has been learning how important community involvement really is through her internship with the York County Extension Office.

Jasmine has been busy organizing the upcoming 4-H fair, conducting workshops at 4-H camps and facilitating events such as State Days. Out of all the awesome opportunities she has had working with the Extension Office, Jazz's favorite is the Urban Agriculture Education Program.

During the summer, York County Extension works directly with a summer school program in the community garden the 4-H program started right in the middle of the city. The students, who are in elementary and middle school, come to the garden once a week to plant a variety of fruits and vegetables. They go through the entire process from planting to being able to take the product home to share with their families. Jasmine said "this project is a fantastic learning environment for students in the environment who would otherwise not have any opportunity to learn these skills!"

The future plans for the program are going to help the community become even more connected to agriculture! The next step is to build a classroom with no walls right next to the garden. "This way students can come straight to the garden and receive both instruction and hands on experience in one location!" Another goal of the Urban Agriculture Education Program is to get connected with the local downtown market where students can sell the produce and use the money to help other areas of the garden. Jasmine said "This will be just another area where the students can learn! Financial management is another skill that is so beneficial to their future."

Jasmine working with some youth during 2014 4-H camp! 

The greatest takeaway of Jasmines internship was getting to know people from a different background than her own. "I have met some really awesome people from all different backgrounds and cultures and learned how important the community really is. This experience has really challenged me to think of what I can do to positively impact my own community!"

To learn more about starting on the path to having a career that makes a positive impact on the lives of students across the globe by becoming an agricultural educator, please contact the agricultural teacher education program at teachag@psu.edu. Follow us on Twitter at TeachAgPSU, on Facebook, or on our blog!

Laura Metrick
Student Blogger
2015 Student Teacher
@Its_LauraBeth