The National Future Farmer's of America Organization has committed to sell the SU Ag Center's newly developed meat
identification tutorial CD-ROM. As primary seller of the interactive CD-ROM, FFA encourages buyers to "put your students
in the driver's seat when it comes to preparing for the Meats Evaluation and Technology CDE!….(this CD-ROM is) a must
have for your program."
Over a two-year span, the team developed the CD-ROM as a self-paced tutorial, including detailed photos
and 360° views of every retail cut in the career development competition. Each presentation provides information on wholesale
cuts and indicators for identification. The CD-ROM concludes with quizzes and exams to test the student's knowledge.
Innovative in its design, the software can also be used via LCD projection for use in teaching a meats
evaluation unit in the classroom.
A team of SU Ag Center meat specialists and researchers designed the CD-ROM in order to fill a learning gap
they noticed during the annual CDE meats identification competition. Since 1984, the university has hosted the region's CDE
which includes more the 13 competitions for area students. "We noticed that there was a pattern of the students not knowing
the most current meat cutting or meat identification practices," says Curtis Chisley, USDA Livestock and Meat Specialist.
As a result of these experiences, the idea for an educational CD-ROM was sparked. SU Ag Center professor Gebrurel Sebhatu says
the team commissioned the USDA because the CD-ROM "is an innovative tool for teaching and learning." USDA awarded a $199,000
grant in support of the CD-ROM, and Center's Office of Technology Services provided all technical and design support. The software
took 16 months to develop.
It can be purchased the FFA at
http://store.yahoo.com/ffaunlimited/meevandte.html
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