Student Perceptions of Simulation Games and Training Software on Improving Course Learning Objectives and Career Preparedness

Online simulation and training games were used in two undergraduate courses in agribusiness to help improve student understanding and course objectives. Students responded positively to the teaching activities. The activities also extended the out of class learning environment.student outcomes, technology in the classroom, simulation and teaching, Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession, A20, A22,

Teaching Natural Resource Economics with Digital Learning Objects: Evolution from Chalk to Digital Ink

Over the past 8 years faculty at UT Martin have experimented with various tools to deliver online content to students at a distance. The most common tool used by faculty is the use of a plug-in for PowerPoint that allows voice annotation of slides. These tools are effective at delivering materials that are in a traditional format with the instructor’s recorded voice. However, these types of tools do not allow you to develop dynamic mathematical problem solving examples for students without working out the problems in advance. The natural resource economics course, like most classes is dependent upon the ability to demonstrate mathematical problems and construct meaningful graphs to explain concepts. As a result of this need, faculty used Tablet PC technology along with a screen capture program to develop a pen-based solution for demonstrating math type problems to students. As technology changed and became less expensive new options became available that did not require a Tablet PC and a screen capture technology. Several UTM faculty tested digital pen products to determine the effectiveness for developing math type tutorials that included instructor voice. The latest generation of digital pen technology has been in place for the past 3 years. The important issue related to the use of the digital ink is its effectiveness at conveying information to students in an online learning environment and its acceptance among faculty. To answer these questions a survey of students (n=22) and faculty (n=27) was conducted to determine the effectiveness of the technology. Results of faculty surveys revealed that 84% of respondents indicated that the digital pen saved time when developing online course materials and that it enhanced their ability to convey information. The majority of faculty felt the technology had a minimal learning curve. Student surveys coupled with actual assignment and exam scores revealed that 90% of students who viewed the digital ink learning objects had a positive experience. The final exam scores of students who viewed the digital ink learning objects had a significantly higher final exam score than non-viewers in the same course

Developing cross disciplinary skills through an undergraduate research project

Undergraduate students can benefit from a research experience with a faculty mentor. Students perceived the research project and faculty mentorship as more beneficial than directed coursework. Mentoring is key to enhancing undergraduate research experiences, but the impact on time should be considered. Linkages between coursework and application should also be considered.student mentor, undergraduate research, Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession, Q1,

Using Industry Certifications to Improve the Marketability and Skill Development of Accounting and Finance Students

This article focuses on optional business certifications that students can obtain while they are completing their undergraduate degree program. These certifications can benefit students in the job market and be helpful in supplementing real world business training in curriculum and address any skill gaps. Several business certifcaitons are represented with pertinent information on the process and benefits of certificate completion. The list of certificates is not meant to be exhaustive, but gives a starting point for business faculty looking to provide opportunities for student career development

CLIMATIC VARIABILITY AND CROP PRICE TRENDS IN WEST TENNESSEE: A BIVARIATE GRANGER CAUSALITY ANALYSIS

Weather aberrations like drought and extremely high temperatures have been associated with adverse impacts on crop yields particularly in agricultural production areas that extensively rely on rainfall. Extremely dry weather accompanied with low or negligible precipitation often leads to crop failure, resulting in decline of supplies and increasing crop prices. Among the recent climatic events of importance, U.S agriculture as a whole experienced one of its worst droughts in mid-year 2012 over a three decade horizon. The 2012 drought had serious implications particularly in the major production areas of Midwest and Southeast U.S damaging vast portions of field crops like corn and soybeans subsequently leading to increase in farm prices. The objective of this study is to conduct a bivariate granger causality analysis for climatic indicators causing soybean price changes over a study period from 1975-2013. The results indicate that a significant causality was detected for precipitation impacting commodity price movements for soybeans. No significant evidence was obtained for the presence of Granger causality between temperature related indicators (maximum, minimum, and average) and soybeans prices. The outcome of this study provides an initial insight into the causality between climatic indicators and commodity price movements for soybeans in the study region, and emphasizes the existence of causality for commodity prices by precipitation changes as compared to changes in temperature, especially in the absence of irrigation based production in the region

CLIMATIC VARIABILITY AND CROP PRICE TRENDS IN WEST TENNESSEE: A BIVARIATE GRANGER CAUSALITY ANALYSIS

Weather aberrations like drought and extremely high temperatures have been associated with adverse impacts on crop yields particularly in agricultural production areas that extensively rely on rainfall. Extremely dry weather accompanied with low or negligible precipitation often leads to crop failure, resulting in decline of supplies and increasing crop prices. Among the recent climatic events of importance, U.S agriculture as a whole experienced one of its worst droughts in mid-year 2012 over a three decade horizon. The 2012 drought had serious implications particularly in the major production areas of Midwest and Southeast U.S damaging vast portions of field crops like corn and soybeans subsequently leading to increase in farm prices. The objective of this study is to conduct a bivariate granger causality analysis for climatic indicators causing soybean price changes over a study period from 1975-2013. The results indicate that a significant causality was detected for precipitation impacting commodity price movements for soybeans. No significant evidence was obtained for the presence of Granger causality between temperature related indicators (maximum, minimum, and average) and soybeans prices. The outcome of this study provides an initial insight into the causality between climatic indicators and commodity price movements for soybeans in the study region, and emphasizes the existence of causality for commodity prices by precipitation changes as compared to changes in temperature, especially in the absence of irrigation based production in the region

PERCEPTIONS OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN A UNIVERSITY AGRIBUSINESS PROGRAM: DEVELOPING A SCALE

This paper develops a scale to measure student perceptions of entrepreneurship in an agribusiness undergraduate program. The study builds on Morris, Webb, Fu and Singhal (2013) and Kriewall and Mekemson (2010) conceptualization of entrepreneurial competencies to develop a brief nine-item scale for agribusiness students. It contributes to the integration of entrepreneurship into the agribusiness curriculum by first explaining the challenges that may be best addressed through building competencies in innovation and entrepreneurship in undergraduate agribusiness education. In this scale development study, undergraduate agribusiness students from a U.S. Land Grant University considered oral communication, motivation and the ability to recognize opportunities to be the most significant capabilities for entrepreneurship

Do Students See the Big Picture: General Versus Discipline Specific Education

Many students have difficulty connecting the concepts taught in general education courses to their career. Most see value in the discipline specific courses taken for the major. Students in the survey consistently rated discipline specific courses as more important than general courses, even if they were in the same area

Teaching the Importance of the Global Economy through Travel Study Courses

Travel study courses can be used to enhance student understanding of international and cultural differences in agribusiness. The use of language immersion, industry tours, and service learning methods are affective ways to connect classroom teaching to real world application. Students become more culturally aware and prepared for industry

Using Industry Certifications to Improve the Marketability and Skill Development of Accounting and Finance Students

This article focuses on optional business certifications that students can obtain while they are completing their undergraduate degree program. These certifications can benefit students in the job market and be helpful in supplementing real world business training in curriculum and address any skill gaps.  Several business certifcaitons are represented with pertinent information on the process and benefits of certificate completion.  The list of certificates is not meant to be exhaustive, but gives a starting point for business faculty looking to provide opportunities for student career development.     &nbsp