Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to describe a value added component to an existing undergraduate agricultural education course. Through collaboration with another department at the university, two opportunities for current students to earn credit while expanding their content and pedagogical knowledge in the environmental sciences were offered. Two objectives guided the study. Objective one examined the participants' perceptions regarding the worth of the experience. Objective two was directed at describing participants' perceptions of their current knowledge of, and the importance of understanding, specific environmental science topic areas. Twelve undergraduate students participated and completed the survey instrument. Results showed that students considered the experience to be worthwhile and that their knowledge increased. The results also indicated that students' perception of knowledge was lower in all cases, when compared to the importance of understanding specific environmental science topics. As a way to close this "gap" in knowledge, such collaborations should be encouraged to provide meaningful learning experiences for students.
Keywords:
value added components in courses, hands-on learning experience
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