Andrew C. Thoron

Identifying the optimal course delivery platform in an undergraduate animal behavior research course1

Abstract There is a critical need to evaluate pedagogical delivery platforms best suited for undergraduates in the information age. Our goal was to identify the optimum course delivery platform for a basic research course based on student performance and critical thinking scores. Students were expected to plan, conduct, and report on an animal behavior research project of their own design. The course was taught in three different formats: traditional, online, and flipped, over 2 yr by the same instructor at both the University of Florida and Santa Fe College. Student assessments included weekly quizzes, assignments, a written report, a poster presentation, and attendance. We conducted pre- and postassessments using the Cornell Critical Thinking Test (CCTT). Students’ grades differed depending on format delivery and were also different between University of Florida and Santa Fe College students. For students at the University of Florida, quiz grades and poster grades did not differ (P < 0.50) between formats. However, assignment grades (P = 0.04) and report grades (P < 0.001) differed by format and were higher in the flipped and online-only version of the course, compared with traditional. For students at the Santa Fe College, quiz grades (P = 0.71) did not differ, but assignment (P < 0.001), report (P = 0.003), and poster (P < 0.001) grades were higher in the flipped and traditional format of the course. Within the flipped format at the University of Florida, student CCTT scores increased (P < 0.001) between pre- and posttest, whereas the scores within the other formats did not differ. When we compared the magnitude of change between pre- and posttest scores across formats, students at the University of Florida in the flipped format tended (P = 0.060) to have a greater gain than students in the online format. For students at Santa Fe College, there was no difference between pre- and posttest CCTT scores for any format, and the magnitude of change in scores did not differ between formats. Overall, our results suggest that teaching format influences student grades and critical thinking scores. Different effects were seen in different student populations; however, positive effects of the flipped format on student grades were seen at both institutions. In conclusion, flipped format courses may improve learning and critical thinking in an early research-based course.

A Comparative Analysis of College Readiness Assessment Results of Illinois High School Agriculture Students.

Agricultural education is defined by a best practice three-component model of instruction that includes a classroom experience, leadership development and FFA involvement, and an experiencebased activity through a Supervised Agricultural Experience program (SAE). Based on program of activities award criteria, each year state FFA associations recognize top chapters with gold or silver emblem designations. This quantitative study provides a comparison of eleventh grade Illinois agriculture students from Gold and Silver Emblem FFA chapters to all Illinois eleventhgrade students on college assessments. In addition, it provides a comparison of Illinois agriculture students from Gold and Silver Emblem FFA chapters to all juniors tested from the same schools. Student identification numbers were securely collected from agriculture instructors and principals at qualifying schools and data were compiled by the office of the state board of education. The assessment results were analyzed and compared to determine if there were statistically significant differences that emerged between selected agriculture students and their peers using the ACT assessment designed to measure college readiness. Results indicated that the selected group of agriculture students are as college ready as their peers. Further analysis indicated that female agriculture students perform at a higher level than their peers on college readiness assessments.