Assignments

Weekly 60-Minute Assignments

Each week you will be tasked with completing an assignment that will take 60 minutes or less to complete. These assignments will be posted on the weekly lesson webpage, and they are due at the end of each week. Some of these assignments may require collaborative work with your colleagues in the class.

Source Criticism Assignments

You will select and dissect one book of a historical nature, one research article of a historical nature, and two primary sources from established historical archives. You will submit an analysis and critique of each. These should be no more than three pages in length, including references. In your critique, make sure you answer these questions: 

1. Provide a bibliographical citation for your source using APA 7 Style.

2. How did you find out about this source? What search terms did you use?

3. Write a description of the author’s credentials and why he or she is (or is not) an authoritative source on this topic.

4. For books and articles only: Who edited the source? What other experts did the author work with or consult with? Is there other interesting information here? Were there archives, libraries, or other organizations mentioned?

5. Provide a summary of the source. What is the author’s main argument(s)? What information do they impart? (You may use additional paragraphs here.)
6. Review where the author found information for this source if any. Describe how they are presented (footnotes, endnotes, bibliography; there will likely be more than one way.) Were their annotations? What significant (other) primary sources did the author use? Did the bibliography lead you to other sources? (Note: If you are analyzing a primary source document, you will need to modify this question somewhat to be able to answer it.) 

Here are four primary sources you may use for two of your assignments.

And, here is an article by my colleague Dr. Gary Moore entitled A Lesson About Primary and Secondary Sources in Agricultural Education Research!

Timeline of State or Federal Legislation

Create a visual timeline that highlights key milestones and developments in the history of Extension or agricultural education. Include significant events, influential figures, and changes in educational approaches. Write short descriptions for each entry, explaining their importance. 

Digital Storytelling Project

Create a digital storytelling project using multimedia elements (videos, images, audio) to narrate the story of Extension or agricultural education through different historical periods. Capture key moments, innovations, and challenges, presenting them in an engaging and accessible format.

Contemporary Issues Project

Research a contemporary trend or issue in Extension or agricultural education. Include information about its historical roots and findings in a research paper.