(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2013) Braaten, Rodney Dale; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Martin J. Frick
The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors that affect the use of project based learning as part of the secondary agricultural education curriculum. Utilizing agricultural mechanics projects as a learning tool has been on the decline due to a variety of factors as schools and agricultural education has evolved. The results show space and equipment needs for an agricultural education laboratory, project implementation details, and teacher abilities. It also looked at curriculum design. A written survey instrument was used with the 70 secondary teachers of the Montana Association of Agricultural Educators was the sample population. 38 usable surveys were returned for a response rate of 54%. The results showed how common programs are equipped and how they implement project based learning in the agricultural education curriculum as well as strengths and weaknesses within the state that can be addressed through professional development.
