Read this First! Course Overview
Course Overview
Many of us want a better understanding of how to plan, organize, and evaluate a successful garden program, yet do not know where to begin. We know that gardens, and the act of gardening, bring many benefits to youth and adults. From this desire comes the purpose of this course: to grow an understanding of how be a more effective garden-based learning educator and how to bring this knowledge to audiences in our communities.
This course focuses on the foundations and benefits of garden-based learning, and provides the tools, resources, and collaborative support needed to plan, organize and develop a successful and sustainable gardening program that fits your organization’s needs. Using a logic model approach to program development, this course is perfect for educators, program staff, volunteers, volunteer coordinators or anyone wanting to develop a community garden, school garden, or garden-based learning program for youth, adults, or people with disabilities in their local community, school, Cooperative Extension, or afterschool program.
Over the next six weeks, you will have the opportunity to learn from one another by engaging in small and large group discussions, and evaluating and reflecting on the readings, research, and case studies. Garden-based learning theory will be discussed and put into practice through practicum, lesson plan assignments, and your final e-portfolio project. You will keep an ongoing learning journal to reflect on what you have learned and how this new information will improve your teaching practice and program planning. The instructors will take an active role by providing supportive feedback.
Contact Information
Instructor for this Course: Donna Alese Cooke
Please send any questions and messages to the instructor through Moodle, by clicking on her name within each forum, or on the course homepage in the "Participants" section on the left side of your screen. Click on Donna's "send message" button.
Course Format
The class will open on September 4 and close on October 14. Over the 6 weeks, there will be an introductory week and 5 modules (units). Each module will last one week. Learning activities, discussion posts, and assignments within each module will each have their own specific due date. Refer to the course schedule and "What you need to do when"section of the module for these dates. Assignments will be submitted to the course instructor before each stated deadline.
You can expect to dedicate a at least 5-7 hours per week to the lessons, readings, discussions and assignments in this course. As a general rule, more time spent devoted to garden-based learning will help ensure that you will gain knowledge and practical proficiency. In addition to the required learning activities, we also encourage you to explore beyond the assignments and read, explore, and learn from others, whenever possible. You will occasionally find supplementary assignments and additional resources for some of the lessons.
In addition to lesson assignments, you will keep a learning journal. Your journal will help you reflect on what you have learned from each of the readings, discussions, and assignments within each module. There will be suggested topics for your journal entries each week, however, you are free to explore your own topics as long as they relate to the course as a whole. Your journal will help you build a relationship with the instructors, and to better understand yourself too.
Lastly, you will compile a portfolio which will serve as a reflection of your evolving learning experience, and teaching "tool box" complete with real-world resources and program planning guides ready to use in for your community, school, or youth program.
Welcome, we are so glad you are a part of this course!
At the end of each section, there will be a link to the next topic highlighted here. Next, read about our approach and course philosophy.