The Department of Agricultural Education  
                                                    The University of Arizona

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The Managerial Lesson Plan:

Managerial lessons are taught to help students make intelligent decisions regarding agricultural problems and to provide them with experience in decision making ability. By and large, managerial "jobs" are mental in nature. In all teaching situations where a clear-cut decision needs to be made, the lesson should be taught from he managerial point of view. Students learn to think efficiently by solving real, "life-like" and worthwhile problems; problems which face students and affect them. They develop this decision-making ability by following a sound thinking procedure.  Students who plan and carry out comprehensive supervised occupational experience programs (ownership and/or placement) have many real, "life-like" and worthwhile problems and decisions confronting them. Due to the origin of these problems and the need to seek sound solutions, these problems are of vital interest to such students. Because of the emphasis placed upon occupational experience programs in teaching agriculture, teachers have a "built-in" mechanism for educating students In the decision-making process. Due to the "occupational emphasis" existing in programs of agricultural education, teachers of agriculture have, at their disposal, one of the most effective techniques for providing experience in thinking and also for helping students solve their important managerial problems.

The steps involved in the decision-making process are as follows:

Step 1. Identifv the problem; state the decision(s) which need to be
                made.

Step 2. Determine the factors; isolate the factors which must 
                be considered before a decision can be made.

Step 3. Arrive at the decision; gather the necessary information; 
            evaluate the factors; come to a conclusion.

Step 4. Take action; develop a plan and execute the plan.

Step 5. Accept the results; evaluate the decision in terms of 
                benefits; test the thinking process involved; reap the benefits 
                or suffer the losses.

In the classroom, the decision-making process is carried to the fourth step. The decision is made when action is taken. Evaluating the results of the decision is done when the complete "project" is analyzed and comparisons are made to standards and/or pre-determined goals.

In order for the students to be given effective experience in decision-making, they must individually engage in each of the steps. However, the activity is primarily mental. As with informational lessons, the important teaching preparation for lessons of this nature is a complete lesson plan which includes a thorough analysis of the problem in question. However, more attention should be placed on the analysis. If the teachers have a comprehensive analysis, it will be comparatively easy for them to develop on the overhead/computer/or chalkboard, with the aid of the students, the analysis of each managerial lesson discussed in class.

More information regarding Managerial lessons and a sample lesson plan can be seen by selecting the books.

Questions or problems regarding this web site should be directed to billye@ag.arizona.edu. Copyright © 2000 Department of Agricultural Education. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, 23 August 2005