Biology 163 - Organic Gardening
Jim Sweeton teaches Biology 163 at Mesa Community College. He has decided to try adapting the course to an online environment so that students can sign up to take it in the school's new distance education program offered in Sakai.
Organic gardening provides an in-depth study of the principles and practices of modern home gardening through a basic understanding of biological science. Plants, soils and climates are studied in relation to the production of vegetables, herbs, flowers, and perennial food plants. Biological and chemical approaches to gardening are discussed, with the goal of helping students to formulate their own approach to growing things organically.
Pedagogical challenges to address in the online environment:
¿ This course requires students to work with a partner to evaluate different approaches to organic gardening and come up with a plan for their garden.
¿ This course requires students to build their own garden and have it peer reviewed virtually on an ongoing basis.
¿ This course requires students to formulate and share their philosophy of gardening throughout the class.
¿ This course requires students to conduct experiments upon soil used in their gardens, compare soil types with their classmates, write a final capstone paper linking soil discrepancies with agricultural outcomes produced in their own gardens.