This course will introduce you to the basics garden design and how to create a design for your own garden/space. During the course you can either participate in the design process or chose to use your learning at a future date. We will look at how to carry out an initial survey and what to look for in your garden to make sure your work is successful. Following this stage we will investigate colour, form, texture etc. in plants and how they can be used in your design, we will also cover the different garden styles and their features. Though this course is not about drawing skills we will aim to produce a basic plan of the garden we want to create and from that point refine the design to ensure it meets the criteria we set out at the start. A mix of videos, presentations, tutor led discussion and student participation will be employed to ensure you get the most from the sessions and complete the course with a good understanding of what it takes to design your very own garden!
Course aim
From initial survey to maintenance of the garden you have created this course will give students a insight into how to design their own garden.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- You will need your own personal email address so that you’re able to login to the WEA’s digital learning platform: WEA Canvas. You will need to be able to understand how to follow URL links to pages on the internet. If you want to understand more about Canvas please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- You will need to be able to follow links to join our WEA live video learning platform: WEA Zoom. If you’d like to understand more about our video learning platform, Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline and http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- This course is for a group of around 15 students studying in a live video-learning platform conference and an online digital learning environment platform from the comfort of your own home.
- No skills or experience needed
- This course is suitable for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Carry out an initial survey of the site and identify features/plants present in a basic baseline plan
- Evaluate and select different garden styles and design considerations for the space
- Create a basic plan of the garden with selected plants/features present
- Evaluate and improve your design in the light of feedback and further research
- Produce a final design/planting plan of the garden you intend to create
How will I be taught?
- The WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas will be used to provide resources or to support lessons, enable assessment, provide learner feedback and for other activities for individuals away from the course. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- The WEA tutor will use a range of different teaching and learning methods and encourage you and the group to be actively involved in your learning
- You may be asked to undertake additional work in your own time to support your learning
What kind of feedback can I expect?
- Your tutor will provide written, text and audio feedback recorded in WEA Canvas, WEA’s digital learning platform.
- A range of informal activities will be used by the tutor to see what you are learning which may include quizzes, question and answer, small projects and discussion
- You will have opportunities to discuss your progress with your tutor
- You will be encouraged to share your work with the group and discuss your learning
- You will be encouraged to consider other students work and give your opinions and suggestions
What else do I need to know?
- What you need: You will need an internet connection, speakers, a microphone and a webcam so that you can use our video learning platform, Zoom. If you’d like to understand more Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- You will need a personal email address to join the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas so that you can receive resources, record your progress and achievement and to work with others and share ideas. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- Nothing else is needed
Pre-course work, reading and information sources
- You will have access to course resources and links to wider learning through the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- No pre reading or pre course work is required
What can I do next?
- Progress to another WEA course
- Progress to a course with another provider
- Become involved with the WEA in a range of voluntary work and other activities including campaigning as a WEA member
- Become involved as a volunteer for a WEA partner or another organisation
- Access the WEA What Next? booklet here http://www.wea.org.uk/learn-wea/what-can-i-do-next
Download full course information sheet
