Designing and Managing School Gardens for Innovative Education

Course Description

Welcome to "Designing and Managing School Gardens for Innovative Education," an exciting and transformative course offered by UPValenciaX. This introductory-level course is designed to empower primary and secondary school teachers worldwide with the skills and knowledge needed to create, manage, and integrate school gardens into their educational curricula.

Our course goes beyond traditional gardening, connecting the school garden with learning activities across all subjects. We'll explore how these green spaces can become powerful tools for innovative education, enhancing students' learning experiences and fostering essential skills. Additionally, you'll boost your digital competence by learning about cutting-edge technologies and digital tools that can be seamlessly integrated into various educational scenarios.

What You'll Learn

• Fundamental principles of preparing and organizing a school garden
• Strategies for crop selection and garden management
• Understanding of transversal and general competence frameworks in innovative education
• A comprehensive roadmap for designing garden-based learning activities integrated into school programs
• Critical thinking skills for creating activities that align with students' needs and general objectives, with a focus on sustainable development goals and the European digital skills framework
• Identification and application of various digital tools and platforms in educational settings
• Hands-on experience with Internet of Things (IoT) technology as applied to school gardens

Prerequisites

There are no specific prerequisites for this course. While it's primarily designed for primary and secondary school teachers, anyone with an interest in innovative education and school gardening is welcome to participate.

Course Content

• Basics of school garden preparation and organization
• Crop selection and garden management techniques
• Innovative education frameworks and competencies
• Designing integrated, garden-based learning activities
• Aligning activities with sustainable development goals and digital skills frameworks
• Digital tools and platforms for education
• Internet of Things (IoT) applications in school gardens

Who This Course Is For

• Primary and secondary school teachers
• Education administrators and curriculum developers
• Environmental educators
• Anyone interested in innovative teaching methods and school gardening

Real-World Applications

• Enhancing student engagement and learning outcomes through hands-on, garden-based activities
• Integrating sustainability and environmental awareness into school curricula
• Improving digital literacy among both teachers and students
• Creating cross-curricular connections using the school garden as a focal point
• Developing innovative teaching methods that cater to diverse learning styles
• Preparing students for future careers in agriculture, environmental science, and technology
• Fostering community engagement through school garden projects

Syllabus

This comprehensive four-week course will take you on a journey from the basics of school gardening to the cutting-edge application of IoT in educational settings. Join us to transform your teaching and create innovative, engaging learning experiences for your students!