HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1989-03-08, Page 67Farm fdit n '89 — Page 23A
University of Guelph offers independent study
Independent study or distance education
is an alternative to individual classroom
learning. It's for people who want to con-
tinue their education but, for a variety of
good reasons, can't attend scheduled
classes, on or off ' campus. A typical
distance student is 25 to 35, with a full
schedule of work, family and leisure
activities.
Independent study is about flexibility -
you choose when and where to read the
manuals, view videos, listen to tapes and
work on assignments.
What information and education
can I get through
independent study?
Whether your interest is career or per-
sonal, Independent Study courses at the
New program
The groundswell of interest in part-time
adult education programs offered by In-
dependent Study at the University of
Guelph continues as over 7,000 people are
registered as active students this fall
(8889).
And a new home studydistance educa-
tion pgogram called "Rural Living" being
developed by Independent Study will bring
i even more adult learners into this booming
division of the University of Guelph's
School of Continuing Education. Rural Liv-
ing, which joins the long-establshed In-
dependent Study programs . in horticulture
and agriculture, will provide people with
some of the tools to help make living in
rural communities m ,
"The Rural Living program is one way
to help people who choose to live outside
urban areas to improve their conditions.
The first course, `Managing Small Rural
•• •
University of Guelph supply useful infor-
mation on topics in agriculture, hor-
ticulture or rur s ; living. You can study for
diploma credit, a certificate or informally,
for pure enjoyment.
Independent Study grants two diplomas -
the Ontario Diploma in Horticulture,
established in 1960, and the Ontario
Diploma in Agriculture, established in
1977. The ODH and ODA are sponsored by
the On .+rio Ministry of Agriculture and
Food, and administered through the
University School of Continuing
Education.
The academic level of the courses is
equivalent to courses available at Ontario
colleges of agricultural technology. In-
dependent Study courses can be used for
contributes t
credit towards the on -campus Associate
Diploma in Agriculture.
What kind of person
enjoys independent study?
If you like to rely on your own resources,
you'll like independent study. If you
understand your own style of getting
things done and can cope with the isolation
of learning at a + stance, you'll succeed.
Courses are designed to meet the special
needs of independent learners.
Last year over 6,509 Independent Study
course packages were • stributed. Since
1963 almost 656 students ;.. ve grdilated
with a t iploma. Thousands more have
completed courses full- and part-time
farmers, horticulturists, landscape con-
tractors, gardeners, golf course
superintendents, greenhouse operators,
cerneterians, urban foresters, hobbyists,
students and homemakers.
How to get started
If you're unsure of your area of interest,
Independent Study program coordinators
are available to advise you on course and
program planning. A copy of Independent
Study Calendar '89 may be obtained by
writing Independent Study, South House,
University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario,
NIG 2W1 or call during business hours
519-824-4120, extension 3375.
Source: Independent Study C -.lender '89.
interest in part-time education
Enterprise,' launches the program," say
Indepenent Study chair, Bill Culp.
"Managing Small Rural Enterprise"
will provide adult learners with ideas
about setting up a small business in local
communities. The course will be based on
five' educational videotapes, plus a
manual. It will cover entrepreneurism,
marketing, the business plan, financial
management and the role of financial in-
stitutions, government assistance and
education programs and legal
considerations.
"It is not a new idea, just an idea whose
time has come," says Culp. Establishing a
cottage industry in a rural area is
of-of--people-
they don't necessarily know all the oppor-
tunities - or pitfalls - that exist.
Marilyn Crabbe, an agricultural
freelance writer, has submitted drafts of
chapters. Although the production
schedule is tight, Culp says meeting the
spring deliver schedule is a realistic objec-
tive. The Rural Living Advisory Commit-
tee will review the course prior to release
to ensure it meets with expectations.
The videotapes will involve interviews
with people who have the experience and
knowledge about setting up a small rural
enterprise, whether it's a trout farm or
Christmas tree farm, a year round rural
recreationalvacation service industry, or
a regional "widget factory." assignments
in the manual will challenge people to put
their ideas on paper for review and assess-
ment before implementation.
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All Rural Living courses will be -fore—
credit and may be applicable to either the
Ontario Diploma in Horticulture or the On-
tario Deiploma in Agriculture. They can,
as with all Independent Study courses, be
taken for non-credit.
Independent Study has over 7,000 people
registered as part-time adult learners.
Over 5,000 are enrolled in horticulture;,
more than 2,000 are in agriculutre. All
courses are "self-directed learning" style.
That is, the student sets his or her own
agenda regarding the number of courses
taken and the timetable for completion.
Rural Living should help Independent
Study meet its projection of 10,000 students
by 1990. With registrations growing by
1,000 per year for the past three years,
Culp thinks Independent Study might meet
that mark.
For information on "Rural Living", con-
tact t p- dent dy Schsol of int
nuing Education, University of Guelph,
Guelph, Ontario, NIG 2W1, 519-824-4120.
Source: Independent Study Groundswell.
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