Online course development to support adult learning of landscaping design principles to improve the curb appeal of a home

Abstract

With the expansion of online access, there has been an increase in the demand for internet learning through both formal and informal channels. While online landscaping courses are available for future landscape professionals, few courses help the homeowner understand landscaping principles of design. Plants and Property Values, a self-directed online course for adult homeowners, was created to assist in understanding the principles of landscape design in order to improve the curb appeal of a home. This curriculum development and evaluation project serves to determine how effective this online landscaping curriculum is in presenting the basic principles of landscape design with respect to improving curb appeal. The author utilized backward design, the Plan-Do-Study-Act continuous improvement process, and andragogy to create a self-directed course that utilizes videos and a workbook. A pilot group of three participants completed the seven-module course and provided both qualitative and quantitative feedback on the effectiveness of the course on their understanding of landscaping principles of design, the effectiveness of the course on determining their current landscaping needs, and their comfort level of implementing some changes to the curb appeal of their own home after completing the course. Overall, participants indicated that the course assisted them in determining the landscaping needs for the curb view of their home, the course assisted in understanding the six principles of landscaping design, and better prepared them to take steps in implementing or maintaining their home’s landscape. Therefore, the curriculum is recommended for adult homeowners seeking to improve the curb view of their home, while also improving or protecting the value of their home.