Going Online with Arboricultural Education    (View PDF)

Mark Johnston and Andrew Hirons

Abstract: E-learning is the delivery of learning, training, or education programs by electronic means. Over the past two decades this has become an increasingly popular way of delivering higher education courses, as this form of delivery provides significant benefits to students and the academic institution. Myerscough College has been a pioneer in developing a fully online degree level course in arboriculture not only in Britain, where the college is based, but also internationally with students now studying online in many different countries. This paper describes how the e-learning degree programs were developed, including the various challenges the programs faced and the interventions that were made to overcome them. It also presents a model for the development of e-learning vocational programs for arboriculture and related industries that other institutions may wish to use or adapt. The paper concludes with an indication of likely future developments in e-learning in arboriculture.

Keywords: Career Development; Continuous Professional Development; E-learning; Higher Education; Vocational Courses.

https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.2012.016