D3334: Learning outcomes and student perceptions towards honey bees do not vary in online or in-person instructional environments

Honey bee pollination of specialty crops is essential to agriculture and yet there are almost no university instructional programs to train the next generation of beekeepers. Teaching beekeeping online can increase the number of students; though, two important questions emerge: (a) Are online and in-person courses similar at teaching beekeeping principles, and (b) do the varying learning design methods change student perceptions in favor of honey bees and beekeeping? We investigated these questions with the use of an online survey for students in both the 100% online Beekeeping course and the blended Practical Beekeeping course at the University of Florida during the summer semesters of 2021 and 2022. The same survey, which was optional, anonymous, and not part of the students’ grade, was completed by students (n = 72) in both courses. We observed no significant differences in student performance on quiz questions focused on key concepts that were taught in both courses. Additionally, we observed that both courses lead to similar improved perceptions of the importance of honey bees to agriculture, the ethicality of honey bee welfare, and the necessity of honey bee treatments. Interestingly, we also observed that both courses lead to a reduction of fear of being near honey bees, an acceptance of bee stings as part of beekeeping, an interest in learning more about honey bees, and a desire to keep their own honey bee colonies at some point. Our work implies that online and in-person beekeeping courses lead to the same learning and perception outcomes.