Step 1, Step 2, Step 3 - Lab 3 Demonstrations!

Demonstrations can be very difficult to effectively conduct.  One must be very clear and concise for each step of the demonstration.  For Lab 3, you each are responsible for conducting a demonstration with AT LEAST 3 individual steps.  When you are preparing, make sure you write out the steps. Take the time to really dissect each step and make sure you are only doing one thing.  Sometimes you will find that you are really trying to do more than one thing, even though you have done something a million times and it seemed like it was one task.  A common rule to conducting a demonstration is to follow the following approach:

Teacher says; Teacher does
Student says; Teacher does
Student says; Student does

An approach like this allows for student retention.  The repetition of steps ingrains the process.  One thing to remember is that demonstrations alone don't mean anything.  You need to instill a felt need to know.  Why would a student need to know how to tie their shoes?  Why should students care how to notch a pig's ear?  You need to make sure you are making the connection to its importance.  Not just saying you will be graded on conducting the demonstration to 100% accuracy will not be enough for a student to really understand why they need to be able to do the task.  We are agriculture educators to equip students with life skills.  Make sure you make that connection for them!

Below you will find a demonstration conducted by 2011 Cohort member, Amanda Remick.  Amanda is a very successful agriculture teacher who has taught in South Dakota and is now working at Central Mountain!

Please view the video to gain a better understanding of how to effectively teach and perform a demonstration!