The teaching of agriculture in Ontario since 1870.

摘要

This study identified those factors which have influenced the content and teaching of Agriculture as a subject in Ontario since the 1870s with specific reference to Huron County. The inquiry used documentary analysis of the subject's historical background provincially and locally and an analysis of the transcripts from interviews of two local teachers. The shifts occurring with farming practices and demographics framed the investigation at various time periods.; Status for the subject Agriculture was affected by the universities' willingness to recognize it, the acceptance by teachers, need for an examination, support by the community and government support.; A shift in the focus of science was also observed from its chemistry and botany beginnings to include more social issues through environmental science. Agriculture preceded Science at the elementary level and was absorbed at the secondary level.; Agriculture was doomed to disappear when large numbers of people with specific agricultural skills were not needed and a shift in policy about required subjects for graduation occurred. It is significant to note that a subject does not totally disappear but that other subjects do absorb those of its topics that are considered valuable. The shift in the subject from being practical to more academic is noteworthy. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)