RESEARCH

At-home Plant Growing Kits Foster Positive Student Experiences in an Online Horticulture Course

This paper shows that a remote strawberry-growing activity in an online horticulture course improved student experience, with most students expressing positive sentiments about the hands-on exercise. The activity allowed students to apply knowledge and develop critical thinking skills, mirroring the benefits of face-to-face laboratories.

Program Types: Social

Population Groups: Children/Youth

Setting or Context: Schools/Educational Settings

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Increased Horticultural Knowledge

Type of Activity: Indoor Plant Care

Evidence Type: Book or Book Chapters

Measurement and Evaluation: Program Effectiveness

Access: Free

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Summary

This study describes the planning and execution of a remote strawberry-growing activity in an online horticulture course at the University of Florida, Gainesville. Students received strawberry-growing kits and online instructions, and they provided weekly updates on their plants. The study analyzed student feedback essays, and the majority of students expressed positive sentiments, including excitement, enjoyment, and knowledge gain, while negative sentiments focused on plant casualties and management difficulties.

The writing suggests that remote laboratories can improve student experience in online courses.
The remote strawberry-growing exercise aimed to increase student engagement and reinforce topics covered in lectures. Students were instructed to transplant their strawberry plant, optimize watering practices, scout for insect pests, diagnose abiotic stress, and identify reproductive organs over a 5-week period. Despite some challenges, the activity provided a real-life scenario where students could apply information, think critically, solve problems, and apply knowledge.

Link

Nunez, G.H., & Neves da Silva, M. (2021). At-home plant growing kits foster positive student experiences in an online horticulture course. HortTechnology, 31(6).

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