Lesson Structure:Diploma In Herbs VHT014

There are 30 lessons as follows:

1. Introduction
2. Overview of Herb Varieties
3. Soils & Nutrition
4. Herb Culture
5. Propagation Techniques
6. Pests & Disease Control
7. Harvesting Herbs
8. Processing Herbs
9. Using Herbs: Herb Crafts
10. Using Herbs: Herbs for Cooking
11. Using Herbs: Medicinal Herbs
12. Herb Farming
13. Herb Garden Design
14. Constructing a Herb Garden
15. Managing a Herb Nursery
16. Lavenders
17. Mints
18. Lamiaceae Herbs
19. Garlic
20. The Asteraceae (Compositae) Herbs
21. The Apiaceae Family
22. Other Herbs
23. Topiary & Hedges
24. Producing Herb Products A
25. Producing Herb Products B
26. Producing Herb Products C
27. Marketing in the Herb Industry
28. Budgeting & Business Planning
29. Workforce Design & Management
30. Major Research Project

Please see lesson titles for your learning goals.

Susan Stephenson

What’s in Each Lesson?

A typical lesson involves set reading (which we provide), a set task (eg. research or practical), a written assignment (to be submitted), and preparing plant reviews (see below).

How Plant Reviews are Done
With each assignment you will required to prepare plant reviews. Each plant should be named, described and illustrated. Throughout the course you will review 180 different herbs

Naming the Plant
Include the common name, scientific name; and the plant family name if possible. If you cannot provide one of these, write a note to the tutor explaining that you attempted to find the information and why you could not. Your tutor will often be able to help at least partly identify the odd unidentified plant; if you submit an illustration and good description (ideally presenting not only a leaf, but also a flower, fruit or seed head).

Describing the Plant You should record any information that might be important to selecting and using this plant for a landscape design. For example:

• Height: How high can it grow in your locality?
• Width: How wide can it grow in your locality?
• Flowers: What colour and when does it flower?
• Leaf colour, shape, texture.. What colour are the leaves when and mature? Are the leaves round, feathery, lobed, spiky? Are the leaves fine or coarse textured?
• Scent: Are the flowers scented?
• Animal Attraction: Does the plant attract birds, butterflies, bees? If so what part of the plant (flower or fruit) ?
• Hardiness: Is it frost tender? How does the wind Affect it?
• Culture: Are there any special things the plant requires? How hard should it be pruned and how often? Does it need good drainage? How often should it be fertilised?..etc.
• Pests and Diseases: List any pests and diseases that are particularly bad for this plant.
• Maintenance: Are there any maintenance requirements for the plant such as pruning or raking fallen leaves in winter?

Illustrating the Plant, This may be done any of the following ways:

• Submit a photograph or drawing of parts of the plant
• Send a scan of a photograph or drawing (Do not send large graphics files over the internet. Consult your student manual for details)
• Refer to a web site page location where you have found the plant illustrated on the internet.
• Submit a pressed specimen or a photograph of a pressed specimen (Note: Do not send pressed specimens across state or national

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.

Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.

Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.

Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.

Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.

Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.

Enrolment

Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.

Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.

Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.

Assessment

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.

Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.

Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.

Qualifications

Q. What qualification will I receive?
A. For individual modules, you would be awarded a Certificate endorsed by TQUK (Training Qualifications, UK), providing you complete all assignments and the exam. If you just want to complete only the assignments and not sit for the exam or finish a Project, then a Letter of Achievement would be awarded. For more details on qualifications available please click here.

Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?
A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.

Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.

Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.