Verfurth, Lauren Christine (2018-08). Investigating the Roles of Competencies on Validation of Youth Livestock Projects: An Analysis of an Online Livestock Project Curriculum. Master's Thesis.
Thesis
The roles the county extension agent and agricultural science teacher play in the development of youth who participate in livestock projects is the foundation for an influential outcome for the exhibitor, family, chapter/club, and other parties involved in the management of the animal. Understanding these needs allows the opportunity for county extension agents and agricultural science teachers to better facilitate programs, more successfully educate their youth, and become more prominent educators. The purpose of this study was to investigate the competency levels and associated needs of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agents and Agricultural Science Teachers related to their ability to educate and lead youth with livestock projects in Texas. Researchers also sought to measure the effectiveness of an online learning tool as the proper delivery tool for educating county extension agents and agricultural science teachers who are tasked with leading youth in livestock projects. Objectives were achieved by distributing an online course in which county extension agents and agricultural science teachers completed a pre-test, interactive module, and finally a post-test that included a satisfaction portion to gauge effectiveness. Results indicated that county extension agents and agricultural science teachers have a high level of competency in relation to validation programs. While individual scores indicated the online learning tool was an effective use of education, it was also found that the instrument used to measure this was unreliable.
