Teaching Undergraduate Turf Science as an Online Course: Student and Instructor Perspectives

There is increasing demand for online courses in many collegiate curricular areas, including horticulture. To augment the transitioning of traditional lecture-only courses to online format, we have attempted to provide experiential learning along with the online activities. At Missouri State University, we offer undergraduate turf science as an online course, but combine it with experiential learning through required group or self-arranged turf management site visits. The course format includes lecture PowerPoint presentations, outside readings, online discussions, written assignments, and tests delivered through Blackboard (an online course delivery and management system). This is combined with the requirement of four field trip activities over the course of the semester. The instructor sets up five local/regional field trips for students in the area, plus assists distance students in setting up their own field trips near their home institution. Information on the benefits and disadvantages of online delivery from the instructor’s standpoint, along with student feedback on the format will be presented.