RHS Level 2/3 Sample Materials

Section

• Click on one of the sections below to expand that section. We are currently updating RHS Level 2 materials - so this means some units have more interactive materials than others. All sections have notes, presentations and quizzes. Some quizzes cannot be shown in this area as they require users to have accounts in order to complete them. As a student on the RHS courses you will also have access to discussion forums (for privacy reasons we cannot show you the forums here). Forums are used for students to speak to each other and for tutors and support staff to assist with any questions.

  
  

  Please get in touch if you have any questions about these sample materials or generally any questions about the course: education@rbge.org.uk
  
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  Instructions: Clicking on the section name will show / hide the section.

  

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  Welcome to the course

  • Getting Started

    This is an example of an Orientation Activity. These activities are designed to give you the information you need to help you get started.
    

  • Orientation activity Interactive Lesson

    

    Welcome to the RHS Level 2 in the Principles of Horticulture!

    This is an interactive exercise to introduce you to the RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture here at RBGE. Please take the time to look through this - it should take you no longer than 1 hour, probably less and will prove invaluable in helping you navigate your way around online learning. It covers an introduction to the course, finding your way around, study skills and how to communicate online. We recommend you use a computer or a tablet, rather than a phone to view this activity.

    Please make sure you have your headphones plugged in or your speakers switched on. Links may open in a new browser window. Please allow pop-ups from PropaGate Learning if your browser requests this when you enter the activity. We recommend Firefox, Chrome or Safari as your browser - please do not use Microsoft Edge as the activity may not work! Note that a grade of 1 means you have completed this.

  • Forums

    As mentioned above, forums are very important and an integral part of the RHS courses. Forums are used to introduce yourself, ask questions, obtain answers to questions and receive help and support from your tutors and fellow students. In the course there are separate forums for each Unit and other forums for getting technical help, essential news etc. We get back to you generally within 1 working day for any technical problems as we know how frustrating it can be when you can't access something or get an activity working. Forums cannot be shown here for privacy reasons but rest assured they are a key element of our courses - online learning is more social than you may think!
    

  
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  RHS Level 2 Sample Materials

  

  An example of materials from RHS Level 2 Certificate

  This is an example of the types of materials that would be available to you if you took a course online using PropaGate Learning at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

  Here we show examples from the first unit of the RHS Level 2 module. In addition to videos/interactive lessons/PDFs/quizzes/presentations, you would have access to discussion forums where you can ask questions or discuss topics with other students.
  
  

  The photogenic Pasque flower (Pulsatilla vulgaris) is great for spring interest in a rock garden.

  
  

  
  

  • Learning Pathways

    Each topic tends to have a learning pathway to help you navigate and study the materials

    Here is an example of one:

    1. Use the Notes as you work your way through this topic. It's probably best to use these notes as a reference as you take a look at the presentations, videos and the interactive lessons
    2. Have a go at the quizzes in each sub-topic - you can attempt these as often as you wish.
    3. Take a look at the past exam papers, have a go at the suggested questions and check your answers by reading the examiner's comments (the links to these are at the bottom of the page)
    4. Remember to look at the Unit 1 forum to find out what other people have been discussing and to ask/answer any questions you may have.
    5. Remember to look at this topic in the e-book 'Principles of Horticulture' that is available to you.

    
    

    In the course you would also have completion tick boxes so you can monitor your progress and check where you have reached.

  • Demonstration video examples

    Note that captions are available - just click the CC button on the player at the bottom of the video.
    
  • Please take a look at each of the following videos. Click on the full screen icon on each of the video to view these at the optimum size. Press the 'Esc' key or the Exit Full Screen Icon to go back to the course page.

    Dioecious plants video

    
    

    The monoecious plant video

    
    

    Hermaphrodite flowers video
  • Video lesson

    This is a presentation on Botanical Classification and the Names of Plants

    Voiceover by Greg Kenicer

    Click play to watch this presentation and ensure you have headphones or speakers as there is a voiceover. This presentation takes just over 20 minutes to watch. Remember to have your notes at hand if you want to refer to them - remember you can pause the video if you wish. Click the fullscreen icon to view this view the video full size. If you do not see a fullscreen icon you can view it fullscreen here (opens in a new tab or window).

    Presentation videos enhance the notes. We are updating 'PowerPoint' type presentations to this style, where you will hear your tutor explain the slides, exactly like you would if you were in the classroom or out in the garden with them.
    

    
    
  • Interactive Lesson Example

  • The Plant Cell Interactive Lesson

    This lesson will explain the structure and function of plant cells, tissues and vegetative organs. It will also introduce the processes of respiration and photosynthesis. We recommend a laptop or desktop computer for viewing this type of activity.

  
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  RHS Level 3: Soft Landscaping

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    An example of a topic from RHS Level 3 Certificate

    Understand the contribution made by soft landscaping features to garden design

    We often make the mistake of selecting plants purely on their aesthetics. While we do want to have beautiful plants in the garden, we need to ensure that the plants we select are fit for purpose. The decision process for plant selection should start with a clear understanding of what role the plant is going to play in the garden.
  • Learning pathway for this topic

    The Learning Pathway for this topic is:

    1. Read the PDF notes on Soft Landscaping

    2. Attempt the Soft Landscaping activites (please note as this is a sample course, not all the activities are shown)

    3. Take a look at the past exam papers, have a go at the suggested questions and check your answers by reading the examiner's comments.

    4. Remember to look at the Unit 2 forum to find out what other people have been discussing and to ask/answer any questions you may have.

    5. Take a look at the additional reading that is recommended

  • Soft Landscaping Notes

  • Soft Landscaping Notes in PDF format File
  • Soft Landscaping Activity

    If the activity doesn't launch automatically, click the orange Launch button (you may need to scroll down to see this if you are using a tablet).

  • Soft Landscaping 2 Interactive Lesson

    This activity will help you test your knowledge of Rock Gardens, Water Features and Containers and how their design and function contribute to gardens.

  • Garden Design Principles Quiz

    If the activity doesn't launch automatically, click the orange Launch button (you may need to scroll down to see this if you are using a tablet).

  • Garden Design Principles Quiz Interactive Lesson

    An activity testing your knowledge of design principles.

    Unlike with the other lessons and activities, you need not tick the completion box. Instead, once you have finished the quiz, your quiz result will be automatically stored on the system.

  • Exam Questions to Attempt

    The best way to test your understanding of the lesson is to attempt questions from the past exam papers. Take a look at the R3112 Exam Questions

  • Past Papers URL
  • Additional Reading

    1. The RHS Encyclopedia of Garden Design
    Chris Young ; Dorling Kindersley
    Read pages 110 - 117

    2. The RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening (4th Edition 2012)
    Christopher Bricknell ; Dorling Kindersley
    Read the introductory sections on the outdoor ornamental plant types in Part 1.

    3. For reference:
    RHS Plants for Places ; Dorling Kindersley