The influences of cognitive styles have been the focus of research on problems in education for quite some time (Witkin, Moore, Goodenough, & Cox, 1977). In fact, agricultural educators are rapidly increasing the amount of research and education focused on understanding and utilizing cognitive function in an attempt to improve educational…

This study analyzed Texas secondary agricultural education teachers' (n = 232) attitudes toward diversity inclusion in Texas secondary agricultural education programs. Using a web-based questionnaire, the researcher employed a nonproportional stratified random sampling technique. Researchers used descriptive statistics to report demographic and…

Experiential learning techniques have been used in agricultural education programs for decades. An essential part of this experiential learning process is reflection. Kolb (1984) stated "knowledge results from the combination of grasping experience and transforming it" (p. 41) in a process that involves using reflection. Few researchers have tried…

Unhealthful eating patterns established early in life tend to be maintained into adulthood, and as a result, chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and obesity may develop. These nutrition-related problems could be reduced through dietary changes; and to facilitate these changes, nutrition education for youth that is delivered…

Student teaching is the culminating experience of most teacher preparation programs. Student teaching gives the prospective teacher the opportunity to join the worlds of theory and practice and to develop individual teaching talents. Long hours are regularly spent in several areas. This study sought to investigate how student teachers distribute…

Students in web-based courses (n=74) completed the Group Embedded Figures Test and an online questionnaire on learning strategies and patterns. They used strategies to determine important ideas from lectures and memorize key concepts. They used online features more for checking grades than communicating with the class. Learning strategies…

Students taught leadership and ethics using asynchronous computer simulation (n=83) were compared with 113 taught conventionally. The treatment group performed better on questions written at the knowledge, comprehension, and analysis levels of Bloom's Taxonomy, regardless of learning mode preferences. (Contains 26 references.) (SK)

Of 74 students taking web-based agriculture courses, two-thirds were identified as field independent. There were no achievement differences between field-dependent and field-independent students. Students enjoyed the convenience and pacing and were motivated by competition and high expectations. Motivation was the only significant factor…

Agriculture students (n=174) completed the Group Embedded Figures Test and California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory. Scores indicated a weak critical thinking disposition overall; field independence was the predominant learning style; and females had greater disposition to think critically based on overall scores and construct scores for…

College freshmen (n=326) who preferred field-independent and field-neutral learning styles had higher grade point averages. High school grade point average and ACT scores were the best predictors of freshman academic performance. Learning style and ACT scores best predicted student retention. (SK)

Results of the Group Embedded Figures Test and Myers Briggs Type Indicator for 178 agricultural education freshmen showed 56% were field independent (FI); field dependent (FD) and FI students differed in choice of major; FD students were more likely to have lower grade point average; and as their style moved from dependence to independence, grade…

College agriculture students (n=90) were grouped into cooperative learning teams based on learning style: field dependent, field independent, field neutral, or mixed. Teams with heterogeneous learning styles did not perform better than homogeneous teams, nor did they have higher levels of satisfaction with team activities or higher attendance. (SK)

High school agriculture students were taught using either a problem-solving (n=60) or subject-matter (n=52) approach. There were no differences in short- or long-term retention using either method across different learning styles. A moderate correlation was found between field independence and higher normal curve equivalent scores. (SK)

The learning style of 187 animal science students and 4 instructors was identified (56% field independent). There was a low correlation between students' Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT) scores and their evaluation of instructor performance, regardless of instructors' GEFT scores. Achievement was not significantly correlated with learning style.…

Results of the Group Embedded Figures Test taken by 78 Navajo students in agricultural education showed that most were field independent. Their style varied by gender and degree of traditionalism. (SK)