Owl Pellets: Tips for Ag Teachers
Education & Explainer
About
Practical tips for your ag classroom and interesting information to incorporate in your teaching. Quick and easy resources for you to read, or “pellets” of information.
Episodes
- How Learning Works: Self-Direction
Brian, Becky, and Mike are back to diving into how learning works. Throughout this episode, they will dive deep into the eighth and final section of the book "How Learning Works: 8 Research-Based Principles for Smart Learning." Marsha Love…
- STEM in the Ag Classroom: Boosting Confidence, Making Connections
Ready to boost your STEM teaching confidence? William Norris and Lacey Roberts-Hill deliver crucial insights from research exploring how agricultural educators perceive their ability to integrate STEM-based AFNR standards! We unpack findin…
- How Learning Works: Course Climate
Brian, Becky, and Mike are back to diving into how learning works. Throughout this episode, they will dive deep into the seventh section of the book " How Learning Works: 8 Research-Based Principles for Smart Learning." Marsha Lovett, Mich…
- Rooted in Practice: Tailoring Professional Development for Ag Teachers
Ever feel like your PD doesn't quite deepen your ag literacy instruction? This "pellet" uncovers vital research on a professional development program that's all about equipping ag teachers for success! Learn how relevant, discipline-specif…
- How Learning Works: Practice & Feedback
Brian, Becky, and Mike are back to diving into how learning works. Throughout this episode, they will dive deep into the sixth section of the book " How Learning Works: 8 Research-Based Principles for Smart Learning." Marsha Lovett, Michae…
- Beyond Posters and Press Releases: Making Ag Comm Work in Your Classroom
Want to elevate your students' communication skills for the modern ag industry? This "pellet" delivers crucial insights from research on how agricultural communication is being integrated in SBAE classrooms nationwide! Learn about the rapi…
- Cracking the Middle School Code: Real-World Strategies for Ag Teachers
Ready to dive into the world of middle school ag ed and supercharge your SAE program? Jacob Englin digests two powerful research articles! First, we explore trends, gaps, and teacher needs in U.S. middle school agricultural education, reve…
- Supporting Every Student: Practical Strategies for Addressing ACEs in the Ag Classroom
How can your ag classroom be a haven for students impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)? William Norris and Shannon Norris Parish share vital research exploring how SBAE teachers compassionately support these learners! Discover…
- How Learning Works: Developing Mastery
Brian, Becky, and Mike are back to diving into how learning works. Throughout this episode, they will dive deep into the fifth section of the book " How Learning Works: 8 Research-Based Principles for Smart Learning." Marsha Lovett, Michae…
- Plugged In and Growing: Practical Tech Tools for the Ag Classroom
This episode unpacks compelling research on how diverse tech tools—from flipped classrooms to digital games—are impacting agricultural education at all levels. We reveal the growing gap between a rapidly evolving ag industry and current te…
- Empowering Every Learner: Practical Strategies for Including Students with Learning Difficulties in SAEs
Ever wondered how confident you are in supporting students with learning difficulties in SAEs? This episode digests research exploring how Georgia ag teachers perceive their ability to do just that! We uncover findings that show teachers v…
- How Learning Works: Motivation
Brian, Becky, and Mike are back to diving into how learning works. Throughout this episode, they will dive deep into the fourth section of the book " How Learning Works: 8 Research-Based Principles for Smart Learning." Marsha Lovett, Micha…
- Cultivating Inclusion: Practical Strategies from the Field for Ag Teachers
How can your ag program be a game-changer for students with special needs? This episode unpacks vital research exploring ag teachers' confidence and strategies for inclusion. We reveal how hands-on agricultural experiences are uniquely eff…
- What Parents Want: Turning Support for Ag Literacy Into Classroom Success
Amelia Miller discusses national research indicating parents overwhelmingly consider agricultural topics very important for K-12 students. The episode offers insights into building family partnerships and leveraging parental interest for a…
- Sparking Critical Thinking: Socioscientific Issues in the Ag Ed Classroom
This episode discusses integrating Socioscientific Issues (SSI) like climate change, GMOs, and food security into agricultural education. It explores how SSI-based instruction enhances critical thinking, scientific reasoning, and argumenta…
- How Learning Works: Knowledge Organization
This episode of Owl Pellets features Brian, Becky, and Mike discussing the role of knowledge organization in learning. They reference the book "How Learning Works: 8 Research-Based Principles for Smart Learning" by Marsha Lovett, Michael B…
- Boosting Your FFA Chapter: Social Media That Works
Raquel Taylor, Taylor Ruth, and Nathan Conner discuss research on how secondary agriculture teachers utilize social media to promote their FFA chapters, examining platforms, content, and benefits while noting potential for growth and need…
- Agriscience Fairs: Science, Communication, and Career Readiness
This episode examines how U.S. agriculture teachers implement Agriscience Fair programs to foster scientific thinking, communication, and career readiness. It highlights teachers' decisions, cross-curricular collaboration, and efforts to b…
- How Learning Works: Prior Knowledge
This episode of Owl Pellets features hosts Brian, Becky, and Mike discussing how prior knowledge impacts learning. They reference the book "How Learning Works: 8 Research-Based Principles for Smart Learning" by Marsha Lovett, Michael Birdg…
- Words that Grow: Boosting Ag Literacy with Writing, Speaking, and Hands-On Learning
This episode examines research on how agricultural science teachers enhance student literacy via speaking, listening, and writing activities. It covers strategies for improving vocabulary, concept application, and addressing challenges lik…
- The Donut Model: Finding the Sweet Spot for Teacher Success
This episode introduces the Donut Model for Ag Teacher Success, adapted from Doughnut Economics. It explores finding a balance between productivity boundaries by examining factors like mentoring, support systems, and workload management to…
- Special Episode: Meet the Producer
This special episode of Owl Pellets: Tips for Ag Teachers introduces producer Kyleigh Hilburn. Hilburn shares insights into the process of producing the podcast, her experiences as a graduate student, and her involvement in teaching, resea…
- Building Stronger Ag Classrooms: Youth-Adult Partnerships in Action
This episode discusses the CROPS Project, a 7-year study utilizing Youth-Adult Partnership (YAP) theory in agricultural education. It highlights how genuine youth-adult collaboration boosts student motivation, practical skills like farm sa…
- Margin in the Middle: Finding Balance and Boosting Creativity in Ag Teaching
This episode discusses research on "margin" for agricultural educators, defining it as a buffer between workload and personal resources. It explores how increased margin contributes to educator wellness, creativity, and job satisfaction, o…
- How Learning Works: Student Identity & Development
Brian, Becky, and Mike discuss student identity and development as factors in learning, referencing the book "How Learning Works" by Marsha Lovett et al. The episode explores principles for effective learning.
- Building Employability: Real Skills for Real Ag Classrooms
What do school superintendents really want your ag program to teach? This episode digests research exploring how district leaders prioritize essential employability skills within SBAE curricula! Discover why critical thinking, problem-solv…
- Nurturing Positive Youth Development: Turning Research Into Action in Rural Ag Classrooms
Ready to empower every student, no matter their background? This "pellet" delivers crucial insights from research on Positive Youth Development in rural, low-SES high schools! Learn how SBAE programs are uniquely positioned to build studen…
- Herding Knowledge: Making the Most of SBAE Classroom and Laboratory Instruction
Ready to fine-tune your classroom and lab skills? Ryan Best, Iowa State University, digests key research on essential instructional practices in School-Based Agricultural Education (SBAE)! We'll explore how effective teaching aligns with t…
- How Learning Works: Introduction
Another season, another mini-series! This season, Brian, Becky, and Mike are diving into how learning works. Throughout this mini-series, they will dive deep into the book " How Learning Works: 8 Research-Based Principles for Smart Learnin…
- SAE Supercharge: Grading, Tech, and Student-Driven Growth
Ever wondered how FFA, classroom, and SAEs really impact student growth? In this week's episode, Tiffany Marzolino, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, explores ag teachers' perceptions of student development across the three-circle m…
- From the Farm to the Classroom: Using Clarkson's Farm for Agricultural Literacy
Ever thought about using Jeremy Clarkson to teach agriculture? This episode discusses fascinating research on how the TV series "Clarkson's Farm" impacted undergraduate students! Erica Summerfield, South Dakota State University, reveals ho…
- Digging Deeper: Bringing Land-Based Learning to Life in Ag Classrooms
Ever wondered how hands-on learning can transform students and your community? This episode digs into fascinating research on land-based learning! Aaron McKim and Abbey Palmer, from Michigan State University, share how connecting high scho…
- Season 11 Introduction
We are back,... we are SO back! Brian, Becky, and Mike are super excited to be back with another season of Owl Pellets: Tips for Ag Teachers podcast. Be ready to tackle conversations over how learning works, getting beyond the walls of the…
- Supporting Males in Ag Ed Classrooms
Ag Ed is uniquely positioned to support boys in school. Stacy Vincent (University of Kentucky) joins the OP crew to share key findings from an experimental study looking at student performance in same-sex versus co-ed classrooms. Tune in t…
- To Those Concerned with Teacher Retention: Letter 9
The "To Those Concerned with Teacher Retention" mini-series highlights a series of vulnerable conversations in letter form to help us ask tough questions of the education career. The series will challenge listeners to consider new solution…
- Enhancing Classrooms with VR
Jamie Greig and his team at University of Tennessee knows implementing VR can feel intimidating, but with their guide to planning, process, and reflection, you'll be a VR implementation expert in no time. Journal Article: https://agdevrese…
- Teacher Mobility: What does a career in education look like?
We'll just come right out and say it: Mobility might be a retention strategy. Becky Haddad (University of Nebraska-Lincoln) and Lavyne Rada (Co-Director of the Minnesota Teacher Induction Program) chat with Mike and Brian about reasonable…
- To Those Concerned with Teacher Retention: Letter 8
The "To Those Concerned with Teacher Retention" mini-series highlights a series of vulnerable conversations in letter form to help us ask tough questions of the education career. The series will challenge listeners to consider new solution…
- Problem Based Learning in Fab Labs
Curious about how to set failure as an expectation? WHAT?! Taylor Merrick (Arizona ag teacher) and Amber Rice (Iowa State University) have the inside scoop on problem-based learning to help teachers work their students through the process…
- Team Building Norms in LDEs
A team isn't just a group of people thrown together, and Tom Jacobsen with the University of Idaho Extension has some great tips for us to build teams through LDE preparation. Tune in as Tom chats with the crew about defining success, enga…
- To Those Concerned with Teacher Retention: Letter 7
The "To Those Concerned with Teacher Retention" mini-series highlights a series of vulnerable conversations in letter form to help us ask tough questions of the education career. The series will challenge listeners to consider new solution…
- Gen Z's Philanthropic Engagement
Philanthropy is an intentional, private allocation of time or money--more simply, it's just giving back where you can, and Amber Rice (Iowa State) and Weslee Potts (Arizona Mom & administrator) are here to tell us more! Tune in as they sha…
- Integrating Virtual Reality
VR may feel intimidating to implement, but never fear! Justin Pulley (Tarleton) is here to make sure we've got the basics covered to dive in. Tune in as Justin shares that we don't need to be experts to give VR a try as long as we implemen…
- To Those Concerned with Teacher Retention: Letter 6
The "To Those Concerned with Teacher Retention" mini-series highlights a series of vulnerable conversations in letter form to help us ask tough questions of the education career. The series will challenge listeners to consider new solution…
- Professional Development in Agricultural Mechanics
Engaging with teacher professional development provides so many opportunities to meet people where they are. Trent Wells (Murray State) joins the OP crew to talk about designing and delivering teacher professional development. Journal Arti…
- Pillars of Effective Mentorship
Mentoring can be a tricky relationship to define and maintain. Jarred Shellhouse (University of Florida) joins us with reminders that mentoring is more than feedback and guidance; it requires respect, trust, and aligned values. Journal art…
- To Those Concerned with Teacher Retention: Letter 5
The "To Those Concerned with Teacher Retention" mini-series highlights a series of vulnerable conversations in letter form to help us ask tough questions of the education career. The series will challenge listeners to consider new solution…
- Experiential Learning in Ag Ed
It can be easy to take experiential learning for granted, so Brad Coleman (Oklahoma State University), and Grady Roberts and JC Bunch (University of Florida) chat through how to move beyond "hands on" learning into true experiential learni…
- Systems Thinking for Teaching
Systems thinking has exciting implications for workforce preparation and our classroom interactions. Tune in as Kevan Lamm (University of Georgia) explores how the world really works as we engage on meandering journeys. Journal Article: ht…
- To Those Concerned with Teacher Retention: Letter 4
The "To Those Concerned with Teacher Retention" mini-series highlights a series of vulnerable conversations in letter form to help us ask tough questions of the education career. The series will challenge listeners to consider new solution…