Bowhay Ciana M, Wickersham Tryon A, Richardson Ra'Sheedah, Dunlap Kathrin A
School of Agriculture, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN 38505, USA.
Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
Transl Anim Sci. 2022 May 4;6(2):txac054. doi: 10.1093/tas/txac054. eCollection 2022 Apr.
Many animal science students have little exposure to working livestock production systems prior to college. As such, they can lack insight into day-to-day challenges and rationale behind decision making in these systems, opening the door for the adoption of misconceptions frequently promoted in the popular press. In addition, students identify a lack of first-hand knowledge and experience in the industry as a challenge to their educational success. Field trips stimulate interest and motivation, provide context for learning, and influence long-term career goals, but are underutilized in higher education. The potential impact of such experiences prompted the creation of the Texas Panhandle Beef Production Tour, a 2-credit hour compressed course. Students on this tour visited beef production sites in the Texas Panhandle ranging from cow-calf operations, to feedlots and packing plants. To cement learning through reflection, students responded to a series of questions before, during, and after visiting these sites to probe preconceptions, observations, and outcomes of the experience. We performed a retroactive qualitative evaluation of these reflections ( = 22) to determine cogent themes. Emergent themes included surprise at the intensive systems of data collection and management and the level of technology used at each site. Cattle were calmer and more comfortable than expected at the feedlots and packing plants. Students expressed new appreciation and understanding of course material and a desire to share their insights with others after completing the tour. Finally, participants gained a broader view of industry opportunities and returned with renewed motivation to pursue additional hands-on opportunities. Participation in this course provided valuable insight into the livestock production industry and motivated students to explore new career options and address their own preconceptions of the industry through independent inquiry. The creation of similar courses may be useful to address misconceptions, create personal connections with course material, and broaden career interests in animal science students.
许多动物科学专业的学生在进入大学之前很少接触到实际的畜牧生产系统。因此，他们可能缺乏对这些系统日常挑战以及决策背后原理的深入了解，从而为接受大众媒体中经常宣扬的误解敞开了大门。此外，学生们认为缺乏该行业的第一手知识和经验是他们学业成功的一个挑战。实地考察能激发兴趣和动力，为学习提供背景，并影响长期职业目标，但在高等教育中未得到充分利用。这种经历的潜在影响促使创建了德克萨斯狭长地带牛肉生产之旅，这是一门2学分的压缩课程。参加此次旅行的学生参观了德克萨斯狭长地带的牛肉生产场所，从母牛-小牛养殖场到饲养场和加工厂。为了通过反思巩固学习成果，学生们在参观这些场所之前、期间和之后回答了一系列问题，以探究先入之见、观察结果和此次经历的收获。我们对这些反思（n = 22）进行了追溯性定性评估，以确定有说服力的主题。新出现的主题包括对各场所密集的数据收集和管理系统以及所使用技术水平感到惊讶。在饲养场和加工厂，牛比预期的更平静、更舒适。学生们对课程材料表达了新的欣赏和理解，并希望在完成旅行后与他人分享他们的见解。最后，参与者对行业机会有了更广阔的视野，并带着追求更多实践机会的新动力归来。参加这门课程为畜牧生产行业提供了宝贵的见解，并激励学生探索新的职业选择，通过独立探究来消除他们自己对该行业的先入之见。创建类似的课程可能有助于消除误解、与课程材料建立个人联系，并拓宽动物科学专业学生的职业兴趣。
