Secondary Agriculture Student Awareness Of International Agriculture And Factors Influencing Student Awareness

Abstract

Within recent years, agricultural educators have become increasingly aware of the necessity to view the profession from a global perspective. Teachers are beginning to perceive themselves and their students as a part of the world community. International dependence on agricultural products and technical expertise, satellites, television, jet travel, worldwide employment opportunities, the Work Experience Abroad program, and the importance of international export markets have all served to create a better understanding of the globe beyond the boundaries of states and the nation. The global dimension of agricultural education has evolved from only teaching prospective teachers those pedagogical skills needed to plan, teach, and evaluate local high school agriculture programs to include a thrust in international education (Welt 1987). A review of the history of teacher education in agriculture reveals no formal reference to international education until the early 1970s. At that time, future responsibilities of the agricultural teacher were examined. In the document Agricultural Education for the Seventies and Beyond (1971). dealing with international education was identified as an emerging responsibility.