D6-Uncmir Farming, Saturday, May IS, 1993 USING NEW TECHNOLOGIES TO ENHANCE LEARNING Daniel R. Hagen Associate Professor Animal Science Penn State has begun investing extensively in both new and remodeled facilities which allow faculty to use the newest com puterized technologies to enhance instruction. These technologies make it pos sible to develop and deliver instructional material with the aid of computers housed in specially equipped classrooms. The types of material can range from lecture information projected from a computer onto large screen to multimedia presentations that convey facts and ideas using a var iety of sights and sounds. Photo graphs, drawings, films, videos, animation, photographic slides, and sound recordings all may serve as source material for developing visually rich presentations that can grab the attention of a generation of students raised on television and video games. Affordable computer programs are now available for developing multimedia presentations on per sonal computers for individuals or groups. Until recently, these prog rams were very expensive and required costly hardware. Multi media and associated technologies promise to revolutionize teaching methods in many subject areas, including animal reproduction. These technologies have come at a time when instructors find it increasingly difficult to offer a complete undergraduate course in reproduction of domestic animals. For instance, basic research over the past decade has produced an explosion of information on the regulation of reproduction. This information provides the founda- a smaller faculty and nar rowing base of expertise. These factors combined make a single course in reproduction less com- THE CLASSIFIED LIVESTOCK SECTION HAS BEASTLY SELECTIONS! Winding River Llamas Since 1987 • Breeding & Sales • 717-247-7827 'ill tor tno “Uimi Ficlt" piekil, Info on llimii for till, or to Juit "lilk Ihmit"! Daniel R. Hagen plete and undoubtedly reduce the level of preparation for graduates as they embark on their careers. To compensate, planning is under way to incorporate some of tion for developing new concepts on chemical and hormonal mechanisms regulating reproduc tion and other areas such as the functions and manipulation of sperm, eggs, and embryos. How ever, instructors who want to keep their students up-to-date on the lat est concepts of biology find it diffi cult to incorporate them into estab lished courses and still have enough time to teach traditional but important topics such as reproductive anatomy, estrus detection, production of sperm, reproductive behavior, develop ment of the embryo and fetus, and birth. Increasing the amount of class time and the number of college credits is not the solution to the problem. As college tuition and other costs continue to climb, an increasing number of students already need more than four years to complete their baccalaureate degrees. At the same time, finan cial support is decreasing for many universities and colleges, especial ly those in agriculture. That often I'M NOT L10N... QUALITY LLAMAS for sale. Excellent health, conformation and personalities. QUALITY SERVICE includes; Reproductive guarantees Stud service Info/resource assitance Transportation available the new computer technologies including multimedia into existing reproduction courses at Penn State. Dan Deaver and I have applied for a federal grant to sup port the development of an instruc tional module in conjunction with faculty at universities in neighbor ing states. The module incorpo rates newly developed material, microscopic images, photos, line drawings, and images taken from slides and existing videos. This array of information will be trans ferred to either laser discs or com pact discs to be retrieved by a com puter and incorporated by faculty into lessons. The lessons could be delivered in the classroom or used IT ALSO CUTS MANHOURS. Hesston 1160 Mower Conditioner Now’s The \ Time To Buy- See Dealers Belov. , For company Programs, Financing mrtanwWW?^ Ahesston ( AGCO i the prime line HERNLEY’S ICKES FARM EQUIP. INC. FARM SUPPLY 2095 S.Market St. pp 1 Elizabethtown, Pa. Oslerburg, Pa. 717-367-8867 814-276-3422 STQLTZFUS FARM STOUFFER BROS., SERVICE, me. Rta. 10 & 41 Cochranvllle, Pa. 215-593-2407 ZIMMERMAN’S FARM SERVICE School Road, Rt. 1 Bethel, Pa. 717-933-4114 as review or supplementary in depth study material by students working alone or in groups outside the classroom. Because the materials can be put into an endless variety of sequ ences, it would be possible to use them for examinations as well. Interactive computer programs can be developed for students to work through an exercise, matching the difficulty of the session with indi vidual skills and abilities. The initial module is expected to serve as a prototype for developing modules in other areas. It would be duplicated and distributed to the faculty who contribute to its deve lopment and be made available to When you're doing high-capacity haying, our Hesston 1160 Hydro Swing Mower Conditioner gets right down to business. We built it with a center-pivot design that gives you all the benefits of a self-propelled—Without the extra expense. And it's made for consistent, even cutting. Once you've entered your fields, the 1160's fully engaged 110" conditioner goes to work for fast drying and even, well-conditioned windrows. You can even adjust the forming shields to produce everything from a swath to Hesston's unique fluffy windrow. Whatever the crop condi tions, the 1160 tailors itself so you can harvest the highest quality hay and save lots of time in the process. See your ACCO/Hesston dealer listed here and ask about our flexible financing plans on the 1160. Or on our wide selection of other equipment, all backed by the AGCO Warranty Program. PENNSYLVANIA me. 1066 Lincoln Way West Chambersburg, Pa. 717-263-8424 ^ — MARYLAND AI HESSTON ““SS!" 0 "’ 13516 Marsh Pike ABCOJ THE PRIME LINE Hageratown, MO 301-733-8226 other universities. The final product will provide a challenging format that should open new doors to learning for our students. It will not replace the instructor with a computer, but it should provide more learning opportunities for students and allow them to learn more without Jeopardizing quality of instruction. Although this is a significant undertaking, it is hoped that it will eventually lead to increasing use of these exciting new technologies. The potential of these new tools is enormous. If we can put them to good use. they will benefit both our students and the society in which they will work. LONGENECKER’S, STANLEY’S INC. FARM SERVICE RD 2 RD 1, Box 46 Williamsburg, Pa. Kllngerstown, Pa. 814-793-3731 717-648-2088 UMBERGER’S OF FONTANA, mC. R 0 4, Box 545 Lebanon, Pa. 717-867-2613
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