ASAS Centennial Paper: Animal science teaching: A century of excellence

Abstract

Teaching has a long and varied history in the life of departments of animal science and the American Society of Animal Science. Some of the earliest reports from meetings of the society have strong indication that planning the curriculum was a prominent feature of the meetings. Teaching symposia were also included almost from the beginning. The society went through a lengthy period from the 1940s through most of the 1960s when teaching was not a prominent focus, but a symposium in 1968 appeared to be a catalyst for change, and, since that date, teaching has again been an important part of the meetings. In recent years, outstanding symposia and contributed papers have made the teaching section a vibrant entry. Departments of animal science have changed considerably since the early days in which "men taught boys" and the primary goal was to produce farmers. More female students, more urban students, interest in a wide variety of animals, and greatly diversified career goals have been emerging during the last few decades. Departments of animal science and the American Society of Animal Science are positioning to be able to respond to change and face the challenge of providing excellence in teaching during the next century.

Veterinary Professions Advising Center: an innovative approach to preveterinary advising for Animal Science students

“…The majority of preveterinary students choose to attend NCSU with the expectation that it will increase their chances of attending the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) at NCSU. Increased enrollment of students in the Animal Science Department whose primary interest is in preveterinary medicine is consistent with and a continuation of previously reported demographics ( Taylor and Kauffman, 1983 ; Buchannan, 2008 ). Buchannan (2008) proposed that Department of Animal Science should establish recruitment programs that reach out to new populations of students from urban backgrounds with interest in companion and exotic animals, adapt curriculum for differing career aspirations, and provide students more opportunities for international experience.…”

“…Increased enrollment of students in the Animal Science Department whose primary interest is in preveterinary medicine is consistent with and a continuation of previously reported demographics ( Taylor and Kauffman, 1983 ; Buchannan, 2008 ). Buchannan (2008) proposed that Department of Animal Science should establish recruitment programs that reach out to new populations of students from urban backgrounds with interest in companion and exotic animals, adapt curriculum for differing career aspirations, and provide students more opportunities for international experience. To recruit, mentor, and provide hands-on opportunities for the Department of Animal Science students and students from any major at the university, the Veterinary Professions Advising Center (VetPAC) was founded in the department 10 years ago.…”

Teaching Effectively: Award Winning Faculty Share Their Views

“…The academic literature outside the realm of education journals documents the positive results of exemplary teaching, yet it is acknowledged that more guidance toward effective teaching in the areas of faculty development is needed. For example, the literature in the disciplines of medicine (Fincher, 2000); animal science (Buchanan, 2008); and psychology (Marsh & Roche, 1997) all call for a more codified knowledge base on effective teaching as well as faculty development efforts to help faculty implement effective practice. Furthermore, research (Hutchings, 2000) notes that a need is present in the overall profession of college teaching and in the improvement of student learning.…”

Design and Development of an Online Course for Careers in the Equine Industry

“…Most people are so distanced from agriculture that they are unfamiliar with how food and other agricultural products are grown and produced. The American Society of Animal Science, a professional organization for animal science faculty, noted a shift from the early days of a male-dominated instructor and student population to a population with more female students, urban students, interest in a wide variety of animals, and greatly diversified career goals (Buchanan, 2008). Fewer students plan on returning to family farms, since many of them do not hail from these types of operations.…”

“…Raising livestock, whether food animals like cattle or competitive animals like horses, require specific skillsets. Universities must adapt and meet the needs of the changing agricultural world and produce the next generation of agriculturists by developing these skillsets (Buchanan, 2008).…”