Teaching & Learning in the School Garden: Summer 2026

5 Tips for success in this online course

1. Be an active participant. Sense of community in an online course is just as important as in a face-to-face classroom. I believe it is more important, because we depend on our written words to reflect, collaborate and communicate. The discussion forums and group activities serve to enhance and advance the content we are learning.  Please follow the Rules of “Netiquette” for a positive and open environment. Be respectful of each other’s thoughts and opinions and if you are compelled to disagree, that is OK; we need to hear all perspectives. 
2. Keep up with readings, discussions and assignments, and adhere to the deadlines. Falling behind in an asynchronous online learning environment will cause you unnecessary frustration and stress. This course is comparable to a college-level course, and participants who successfully complete all assignments may earn Continuing Education Units. It may seem like a lot of work to do, but it is  manageable if you keep current each week. By signing on every day or every other day and devoting 5-10 hours each week, you should be able to keep up with ease. There is a built-in grace period so you can still turn in assignments up to one week beyond the due date if needed. In the rare event of a personal issue or emergency, please message me through Moodle so we can agree on a longer time extension. 
3. Look ahead at each new week as soon as it opens every Monday. There are six units of study, all of which build on the previous week. For this reason all modules are not all open at once. When each week becomes available, you will see a checklist of all the required readings, activities and assignments for the week for you to plan your time accordingly. The readings, activities and assignments should be done in the order they are listed each week.
   
4. Keep in touch. If you need support or guidance, do not fade into the background. You invested in this course, and it will pay off for you in the long run. Please let me know if you are having any technical or other issues that are affecting your participation.
   
5. Enjoy the freedom and flexibility of this course and all that we have to offer each other….and have fun! We all share a common interest, a desire to maintain the connection we have to our environment, and to share our enthusiasm with others through garden–based learning.  I am confident you will leave this course with a network of like-minded professionals, a few new friends, and a bundle of wonderful resources to use in your garden-based learning program.