Assessment of the Adoption of Agroforestry Technologies by Limited-Resource Farmers in North Carolina

Agroforestry is a natural resource management system that integrates trees, forages, and livestock. The study reported here was conducted to determine farmers\u27 knowledge about and willingness to adopt agroforestry technologies in North Carolina. The study reported participants were primarily older, male farmers, suggesting the need to attract more females and younger individuals to adopt agroforestry technologies. The increasing number of diversified farm operators presents a new audience for Extension educators to offer programs to improve limited-resource farmers\u27 livelihood. The study recommends Extension training programs and information centers for farmers who need skills and knowledge to manage agroforestry technologies

Moldovan Vocational Education and Training: Student Reports for Online Learning Experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global crisis. Many health, food, economic, transportation, and educational systems have been affected. From the most affluent to the least advantaged educational systems, K-16 and beyond are being challenged on how best to move from face-to-face to online teaching and learning. Moldova policymakers and educators are meeting to address existing educational policies needed to continue educating its student population. The purpose of this descriptive study was to assess Vocational Education and Training students’ online learning experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the 303 returned surveys, most of the participants were female (60%), studying in the platform Google Classroom and reported feeling ill-prepared for the transition from face-to-face to online learning. It was concluded that students would benefit best from online resources and adequate teacher feedback for online homework. It is recommended that a collaborative approach is employed to address the needs of students, their teachers, and parents best to navigate the learning experiences during this time of uncertainty

Challenges of Online Teaching during the pandemic COVID-19: Reports from Moldovan Vocational Education and Training Teachers

Teachers worldwide are experiencing challenges with transitioning from face-to-face to online teaching during the pandemic COVID-19. Policymakers, school administrators, students, parents, and teachers have all been impacted. Moldovan educational policies and infrastructures are being re-visited to identify the best strategies for supporting its teachers during this time. The purpose of this case study was to assess Moldovan Vocational Education and Training (VET) teachers' challenges faced teaching online. Data were analyzed by researchers reviewing interview notes to ascertain the main points gathered from teachers occurred during the focus group interview. The focus group with mostly female teachers revealed their desire to gain online teaching training and frustration over a lack of stable Internet connection during lessons. It was concluded that teachers’ needs should be shared with policymakers and school administrators to ensure technology training and reliable technology devices for at home use be provided while schools are closed. Based on conclusions, the following recommendations would be to assess student’s needs to ensure their needs are aligned with teachers’ needs so the best teaching and learning can occur

Farm Safety Practices: Reports from Rural Youth in North Carolina

Farms require an extensive labor force to meet production demands. In rural areas, the demand is greater, and farm operators must often rely on family members, including youth, who face unique risks due to farming practices. This quantitative study examined rural high school agricultural education programs in which students participate in family farming operations. The purpose of this study was to determine rural youths’ knowledge about farm safety and health hazards. Participants completed class activities related to farm safety and participated in farm safety demonstrations. It was found that most students reported being slightly knowledgeable about and practiced safety farming practices. It was concluded that, while most students reported having knowledge of farm safety practices, they fail to always practice them. The researchers recommend youth and at a younger age of diverse backgrounds received more farm safety practice initiatives in order to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities

Relationships Between Cognitive Engagement and Self-Efficacy for High School Students Who Participate in Service-Learning

The purpose of this explanatory quantitative case study was to examine the relationship between service-learning, cognitive engagement, and self-efficacy for high school students. The study was conducted at a high school located in North Carolina. Fifty-one students in grades 10 to 12 participated in the study. All students in the study had participated in at least one service-learning activity prior to the study. Data was collected using the Service-Learning, Cognitive Engagement, and Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (SLCESEQ) which included items from (a) the Control and Relevance of Schoolwork subscale of the Student Engagement Instrument to measure cognitive engagement and (b) the General Self-Efficacy Scale to measure self-efficacy. In addition, respondents self-reported the demographics (race/ethnicity, gender, and grade level) as well as the number and type of service-learning activities in which they had participated. Data analysis did not yield statistically significant relationships between the service-learning, cognitive engagement, and self-efficacy). However, there were several statistically significant relationships between the cognitive engagement and self-efficacy. In addition, the demographic variables had significant relationships with cognitive engagement and self-efficacy

The correlation between Self-regulated Learning Behaviors and Academic Classification for HBCU Students Participating in Online and Remote Learning Experiences

The COVID-19 pandemic placed tremendous pressures on economic, medical, and educational infrastructures and systems around the world. Educational leaders were advised to “shutdown” schools which meant teachers and students were forbidden to gather in the same physical space to deliver and receive instruction. Pressures were transferred to technology leaders to create, maintain, and sustain technology infrastructure that depended on instructional technologies to mediate interactions among students, content, and instructors to provide learners with quality environments, experiences, and services while adhering to social distancing mandates. From a social cognitive perspective, this study is concerned with the relationship between abrupt environmental alteration created by the pandemic and the behavioral implications of deploying motivational and learning strategies empirically proven to contribute to academic success in traditional and online environments. The study showed undergraduate students at an HBCU participating in remote and online learning demonstrated slightly above average self-regulatory strategy use in environmental structuring (3.85), task strategy use (3.26), and time management (3.51). There is a statistically significant correlation between environmental structuring strategy use and academic classification; and a statistically significant correlation between time management strategy use and academic classification. This study does bring attention to environmental conditions of students served by HBCUs; and the implications of these factors on learning behaviors they rely on in technology-mediated learning environments and experiences

The correlation between Self-regulated Learning Behaviors and Academic Classification for HBCU Students Participating in Online and Remote Learning Experiences

The COVID-19 pandemic placed tremendous pressures on economic, medical, and educational infrastructures and systems around the world. Educational leaders were advised to “shutdown” schools which meant teachers and students were forbidden to gather in the same physical space to deliver and receive instruction. Pressures were transferred to technology leaders to create, maintain, and sustain technology infrastructure that depended on instructional technologies to mediate interactions among students, content, and instructors to provide learners with quality environments, experiences, and services while adhering to social distancing mandates. From a social cognitive perspective, this study is concerned with the relationship between abrupt environmental alteration created by the pandemic and the behavioral implications of deploying motivational and learning strategies empirically proven to contribute to academic success in traditional and online environments. The study showed undergraduate students at an HBCU participating in remote and online learning demonstrated slightly above average self-regulatory strategy use in environmental structuring (3.85), task strategy use (3.26), and time management (3.51). There is a statistically significant correlation between environmental structuring strategy use and academic classification; and a statistically significant correlation between time management strategy use and academic classification. This study does bring attention to environmental conditions of students served by HBCUs; and the implications of these factors on learning behaviors they rely on in technology-mediated learning environments and experiences

Beneficial Farming Practices and Assistive Technologies for Veterans and Limited Resource Farmers

Farmers need support. Along with financial support, there is a need to receive knowledge, skills, and resources to address how to perform safe farming practices, including physical and mental health limitations. This study assessed participants’ knowledge and beliefs related to critical farming practices needed to live safe and sustainable lifestyles. Workshops were delivered face-to-face and online, covering a range of farming practice topics such as assistive technologies and mental health. Data was collected via online surveys. Results found that respondents needed more information on Farm Safety and Health, and many reported little energy and feelings of hopelessness. It was concluded that participants would benefit from more specialized training to be sustainable. Recommendations for future studies include more workshops and training programs based on education and demonstrations on how best to live healthy and safe lifestyles

Beneficial Farming Practices and Assistive Technologies for Veterans and Limited Resource Farmers

Farmers need support. Along with financial support, there is a need to receive knowledge, skills, and resources to address how to perform safe farming practices, including physical and mental health limitations. This study assessed participants’ knowledge and beliefs related to critical farming practices needed to live safe and sustainable lifestyles. Workshops were delivered face-to-face and online, covering a range of farming practice topics such as assistive technologies and mental health. Data was collected via online surveys. Results found that respondents needed more information on Farm Safety and Health, and many reported little energy and feelings of hopelessness. It was concluded that participants would benefit from more specialized training to be sustainable. Recommendations for future studies include more workshops and training programs based on education and demonstrations on how best to live healthy and safe lifestyles

Beneficial Farming Practices and Assistive Technologies for Veterans and Limited Resource Farmers

Farmers need support. Along with financial support, there is a need to receive knowledge, skills, and resources to address how to perform safe farming practices, including physical and mental health limitations. This study assessed participants’ knowledge and beliefs related to critical farming practices needed to live safe and sustainable lifestyles. Workshops were delivered face-to-face and online, covering a range of farming practice topics such as assistive technologies and mental health. Data were collected via online surveys. Results found that respondents needed more information on Farm Safety and Health, and many reported little energy and feelings of hopelessness. It was concluded that participants would benefit from more specialized training to be sustainable. Recommendations for future studies include more workshops and training programs based on education and demonstrations on how best to live healthy and safe lifestyles