Students in the Community Gardens
What format will the courses take?
Each of the modules available by Distance Learning covers the same syllabus as students attending the college for lectures. The only difference is that the course material will be delivered to you through the internet. To keep costs (and prices) to a minimum, we do not send out printed materials. We realise that the internet might not be for everyone as a way to learn, but it is the only cost-effective way we can offer these courses to you. We do make DVD’s of interesting films and audio recordings available during the course.
Instead of going to lectures you will log onto our website and work through the course material each week. You will be set coursework and practical exercises. In addition to using the internet to work through the material you will also be able to use the website to discuss things with other students and teachers. The distance learning website uses a state-of-art course management system which is very powerful and flexible. There are discussion forums, blogs and photo galleries that you can use.
How is Distance Learning assessed?
If you want to pass a module you will need to complete some coursework (projects / practicals) and possibly (depending on the module) take an exam which will be held at the end of February. The exams aren’t too hard and we provide lots of help and revision. For modules with assignments, these are quite short – often 1,500 words will do – they’re usually a write-up of something practical you’ve done (e.g. report on a crop you’ve grown).
Of course, you don’t have to take the exams and hand in projects if you don’t want to be assessed – some people follow the courses for personal interest and don’t want a qualification. Everyone is welcome.
Will there be support from real people?
Yes! You will have access to telephone and email support so you should never feel that you are studying alone. You’ll have access to staff at the Organic College who teach the modules there so you will have direct personal contact with the course tutor. We will specify regular times each week when tutors will be available to offer support, reply to emails and talk on the phone.
You will also be part of a community of people studying with the college and you’ll be able to share experiences with fellow learners using the internet discussion groups, chat facilities and by meeting face to face on the practical experience days.
Who are the teachers?
Paula Pender
Paula
The main Distance Learning teacher is Paula Pender. Paula has been involved in Organic Farming for the past 10 years. After completing a 2 year diploma in Organic Horticulture at an t-Ionad Glas in 1998 she travelled overseas working on various farming projects. She spent the majority of her time in the Pacific Northwest where she leased an acre of land outside the city of Portland Oregon. There she set up a small scale organic garden specialising in growing vegetables herbs and cut-flowers which were sold through local food co-ops, farmers markets and wholesale outlets.
Paula returned to Ireland in the spring of 2007 and put 2 acres of family land into conversion. She has been growing on a similar scale and establishing sales through the local farmers market and a weekly vegetable box scheme. She has also been involved in teaching Organic Horticulture though various courses organised by Teagasc and the National Organic Training Skillnet. Paula has an extensive working knowledge of all aspects of small scale organic vegetable production.
Tom Atkins
Tom
Tom set up the Distance Learning courses in 2004. He has an MSc in Organic Agriculture and experience on many organic farms including a year researching organic production techniques at the Organic Research Centre in the UK. He has an interest in permaculture and sustainability. Tom will be looking after the website and technical side of the courses.
Staff at the college
You will also have access to teaching staff at the college. Jim McNamara and Sinead Neiland have a wealth of knowledge from over 15 years of growing and teaching organics. They have contributed to the development of these courses and will be on hand to answer your questions when needed. Also at the college is Kathleen Lynch who looks after the administrative side of the courses and will keep you updated on her home farm with its numerous livestock and vegetables.
How many hours will I need to study each week?
It’s hard to say exactly how long you will need to study as everyone is different. However, as a guide, each module will require about 1½ hours study per week to cover the basic syllabus and complete practicals. You may wish to do additional reading. As the courses run all year there are long holidays (details below).
What qualifications can I get?
Each of the modules is an NVC Level 5 module which is approved by the Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) in Ireland. The modules have value in their own right and can be accumulated from different colleges as part of life-long learning.
If you complete 8 modules you will achieve a Level 5 Certificate in ‘Horticulture’. You don’t have to do all the modules with us – you can take completed modules to build on at another college if you wish.
What is a FETAC level 5 course? The FETAC website says:
“The National Vocational Certificate Level 5 enables learners to develop a broad range of skills which are vocational specific and require a general theoretical understanding. They are enabled to work independently/subject to general direction. The majority of certificate/module holders at Level 5 take up positions of employment. They are also deemed to have met the minimum entry requirements for a range of higher education institutions/courses.
The National Vocational Certificate Level 5 will be awarded to a candidate who reaches the required standard in modules whose total value are at least 8 and which include:
5 Vocational modules (including mandatory and elective modules)
2 General Studies modules (one of which must be Communications)
1 Work Experience module”
Recognition
For each module you complete you will receive a ‘Record of Achievement’ certificate. You can take this to prospective employers and also refer to it for your customers.
The level 5 qualification is recognised across Europe and is equivalent to vocational awards in other countries. Even if you already have a higher education qualification, taking these vocational courses can be very inspiring; they aim to be practical and useful in the real world.
Our course is also recognised by the Department of Agriculture as an approved training course for qualification for the Organic Aid Scheme.
What can I choose to learn?
The modules we are offering have been updated to reflect the latest national FETAC Level 5 Horticulture courses:
| Course |
Modules Included |
| A. Organic Basics |
- Organic Food Crops
- Soil Science and Growing Media
|
| B. Organic Fundamentals |
Two modules as above plus
- Organic Production Principles
- Plant Identification
|
| C. The Full Certificate |
Four modules as above plus:
- Plant Science
- Sustainable Development
- Communications
- Work Placement
|
The courses run for 11 months from October to September.
The prices above are all inclusive and include all course material, weekend practical workshops at the college and exam entry fees. We hope you agree that the courses represent excellent value for money for an 11 month course with 8 practical workshops at the college and visits to farms and gardens.
When deciding what to choose please bear in mind the following:
You can take the Full Certificate over two or three years.
- You can sign up for just the ‘Basics’ or ‘Fundamentals’ in the first year and then go on to take more modules in future years – you just pay the difference in price next year.
- Completing the ‘Full Certificate’ in one year is a big undertaking – you will need to have lots of spare time and some experience of gardening and organics. Most Distance Learning students would complete this over two years.
2. About the courses and modules
Students in the Community Gardens
What format will the courses take?
Each of the modules available by Distance Learning covers the same syllabus as students attending the college for lectures. The only difference is that the course material will be delivered to you through the internet. To keep costs (and prices) to a minimum, we do not send out printed materials. We realise that the internet might not be for everyone as a way to learn, but it is the only cost-effective way we can offer these courses to you. We do make DVD’s of interesting films and audio recordings available during the course.
Instead of going to lectures you will log onto our website and work through the course material each week. You will be set coursework and practical exercises. In addition to using the internet to work through the material you will also be able to use the website to discuss things with other students and teachers. The distance learning website uses a state-of-art course management system which is very powerful and flexible. There are discussion forums, blogs and photo galleries that you can use.
How is Distance Learning assessed?
If you want to pass a module you will need to complete some coursework (projects / practicals) and possibly (depending on the module) take an exam which will be held at the end of February. The exams aren’t too hard and we provide lots of help and revision. For modules with assignments, these are quite short – often 1,500 words will do – they’re usually a write-up of something practical you’ve done (e.g. report on a crop you’ve grown).
Of course, you don’t have to take the exams and hand in projects if you don’t want to be assessed – some people follow the courses for personal interest and don’t want a qualification. Everyone is welcome.
Will there be support from real people?
Yes! You will have access to telephone and email support so you should never feel that you are studying alone. You’ll have access to staff at the Organic College who teach the modules there so you will have direct personal contact with the course tutor. We will specify regular times each week when tutors will be available to offer support, reply to emails and talk on the phone.
You will also be part of a community of people studying with the college and you’ll be able to share experiences with fellow learners using the internet discussion groups, chat facilities and by meeting face to face on the practical experience days.
Who are the teachers?
Paula Pender
Paula
The main Distance Learning teacher is Paula Pender. Paula has been involved in Organic Farming for the past 10 years. After completing a 2 year diploma in Organic Horticulture at an t-Ionad Glas in 1998 she travelled overseas working on various farming projects. She spent the majority of her time in the Pacific Northwest where she leased an acre of land outside the city of Portland Oregon. There she set up a small scale organic garden specialising in growing vegetables herbs and cut-flowers which were sold through local food co-ops, farmers markets and wholesale outlets.
Paula returned to Ireland in the spring of 2007 and put 2 acres of family land into conversion. She has been growing on a similar scale and establishing sales through the local farmers market and a weekly vegetable box scheme. She has also been involved in teaching Organic Horticulture though various courses organised by Teagasc and the National Organic Training Skillnet. Paula has an extensive working knowledge of all aspects of small scale organic vegetable production.
Tom Atkins
Tom
Tom set up the Distance Learning courses in 2004. He has an MSc in Organic Agriculture and experience on many organic farms including a year researching organic production techniques at the Organic Research Centre in the UK. He has an interest in permaculture and sustainability. Tom will be looking after the website and technical side of the courses.
Staff at the college
You will also have access to teaching staff at the college. Jim McNamara and Sinead Neiland have a wealth of knowledge from over 15 years of growing and teaching organics. They have contributed to the development of these courses and will be on hand to answer your questions when needed. Also at the college is Kathleen Lynch who looks after the administrative side of the courses and will keep you updated on her home farm with its numerous livestock and vegetables.
How many hours will I need to study each week?
It’s hard to say exactly how long you will need to study as everyone is different. However, as a guide, each module will require about 1½ hours study per week to cover the basic syllabus and complete practicals. You may wish to do additional reading. As the courses run all year there are long holidays (details below).
What qualifications can I get?
Each of the modules is an NVC Level 5 module which is approved by the Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) in Ireland. The modules have value in their own right and can be accumulated from different colleges as part of life-long learning.
If you complete 8 modules you will achieve a Level 5 Certificate in ‘Horticulture’. You don’t have to do all the modules with us – you can take completed modules to build on at another college if you wish.
What is a FETAC level 5 course? The FETAC website says:
“The National Vocational Certificate Level 5 enables learners to develop a broad range of skills which are vocational specific and require a general theoretical understanding. They are enabled to work independently/subject to general direction. The majority of certificate/module holders at Level 5 take up positions of employment. They are also deemed to have met the minimum entry requirements for a range of higher education institutions/courses.
The National Vocational Certificate Level 5 will be awarded to a candidate who reaches the required standard in modules whose total value are at least 8 and which include:
5 Vocational modules (including mandatory and elective modules)
2 General Studies modules (one of which must be Communications)
1 Work Experience module”
Recognition
For each module you complete you will receive a ‘Record of Achievement’ certificate. You can take this to prospective employers and also refer to it for your customers.
The level 5 qualification is recognised across Europe and is equivalent to vocational awards in other countries. Even if you already have a higher education qualification, taking these vocational courses can be very inspiring; they aim to be practical and useful in the real world.
Our course is also recognised by the Department of Agriculture as an approved training course for qualification for the Organic Aid Scheme.
What can I choose to learn?
The modules we are offering have been updated to reflect the latest national FETAC Level 5 Horticulture courses:
Four modules as above plus:
The courses run for 11 months from October to September.
The prices above are all inclusive and include all course material, weekend practical workshops at the college and exam entry fees. We hope you agree that the courses represent excellent value for money for an 11 month course with 8 practical workshops at the college and visits to farms and gardens.
When deciding what to choose please bear in mind the following:
You can take the Full Certificate over two or three years.