Technophobists Beware: Online SAE Up-Close

SAE is agricultural education's answer to true contextual and applied learning principles with emphasis on "real world" applications; it is a "lifeline" to knowing the students and parents on an eye-level basis; and it is the greatest personal counseling tool to reach today's high school generation. SAE, coupled with instruction and FFA, is a visible link for school-based and work-based programs enjoyed by students. But, the SAE acronym may invoke a phobia in teachers. Time Testimony from a Teacher: "Somewhere among show exhibits, ag adventure days, illness in the family, reporting students' grades to administrators and parents, attending to my child at little league games, and going to CDEs, I try to find time to tend to my students' SAEs." Does this sound vaguely familiar to your daily schedule of balancing teaching and family? This new phobia could be chrono'agri'phobia. Another phobia, fueled by Dr. William Camp's and Dr. Gary Moore's studies and topics on online assistance, is cyberphobia. A new "breed" of electronic SAE exists in today's agricultural classrooms. Electronic delivery means personal computer software and Internet resources. The seeds of electronic delivery were sown by the publication of the Local Program Resource Guide CD ROM by the National FFA, Team AgEd, The Council, and the National Association of Agricultural Educators. From those sound roots have grown eEfforts by State FFA Associations, corporate vendors, private individuals, and curriculum centers to deliver the electronic assists for SAEs in an efficient and effective manner. Special innovative delivery methods of SAE and record keeping include special software programs, CD-ROMs, and online programs delivered through Excel templates, and at least one totally online record keeping system. Electronic tools while being great educational delivery methods may invoke another phobia in teachers: cyberphobia (fear of computers). Advice to cyberphobics: "Get over it. The new era of agricultural education technology has arrived on the scene just in the nick of time to reduce chronophobia." Technology Testimony from a Teacher: "It has been my experience that students in today's classroom are much more visually attuned to information than ever before. While pen and paper record books provided a method of entering and recording information vital to entrepreneurship/placement enterprises, it lacked appeal to today's student. It was difficult to pressure students in completing the required information. It was also time-consuming and unmanageable to monitor and grade record books for all of my students. When record book computer programs were developed, I quickly converted to record book templates. Those electronic record books appealed to the students, they provided accurate mathematical computations, and reduced space requirements for paper books. However, the template had disadvantages. When record books were checked for awards and degrees at remote locations, computers required the record book software to be installed, and friendly printers were needed. Computer record books were not easily updated without utilizing class time, a valuable commodity. I spent a great deal of time checking for the accuracy and completion of the books. The online system has changed all of that. My school was among the first to pilot-test the online record book. The previous year, we had piloted an updated pen or pencil record book that incorporated General Accepted Accounting Practices. My first year students used this book. The next year, those returning students who had become familiar with the new accounting methods were assigned an online record book. Now, all my students are assigned an Internet record book when they enter my agriscience department. I utilize the school computer lab for introduction to the basics of these books. Many students use Internet access at their homes to maintain their records." Teachers' Comments Regarding Online SAE Technology [sec] Online record keeping adapts to all SAE types. …