Development of an undergraduate course on invasive plants and ecosystems using distance education

Background/Question/Methods

Distance education is one of the fastest growing areas in higher education. In 2011, the number of students taking at least one online course was over 6 million. The rate of growth in online enrollments is ten times that of the rate in all higher education and 65% of higher education institutions now say that online learning is a critical part of their long-term strategy. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) offers online college-level courses and a range of undergraduate and graduate programs. To date, there is no course at UNL or elsewhere, which is focused on understanding invasive plant species and their impacts on ecosystems. Therefore, a new online course entitled, “Invasive plant science: impacts on ecosystems” was developed and is now being offered at UNL. The objectives in developing the course were to 1) provide students with an understanding of the importance of invasive plants at the global scale, 2) help students learn how invasive plants impact various ecosystems, and 3) create an easily accessible course with the flexibility to meet the needs of several types of students.

Results/Conclusions

The online college course, “Invasive plant science: impacts on ecosystems” was developed over a 12-month period and is now a regular listing in the UNL course catalog. The 15-week course includes weekly lectures, readings, quizzes, problem sets, and a discussion board on topics that students are required to comment on or provide feedback. Three exams and a final project of the student’s choosing are the main knowledge assessment pieces of the course. All of the components, which were developed in advance of the first day of class, are presented through a secure, teaching-based website (Blackboard course management system) that offers students access to all course materials. The course focuses on ecosystem impacts and the global implications from invasive plants and meets the requirements for ACE (Achievement-Centered Education) certification, which is a designation that defines student learning outcomes and is used by many colleges and universities. The course is creating student awareness on how invasive plants are impacting ecosystems and the science that can aid in understanding the reasons for the occurrence of invasions. This type of curriculum is well-suited not only for undergraduates, but also high school students and professionals (e.g., natural resource managers), who are interested in understanding invasive plants using a systems approach.