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Dr. Thomas Carroll

Are you interested in bees?  Have you ever considered becoming a beekeeper?  This short course will introduce you to the subject and the key reasons why you should actually consider becoming a beekeeper. 

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Are you interested in bees?  Have you ever considered becoming a beekeeper?  This short course will introduce you to the subject and the key reasons why you should actually consider becoming a beekeeper. 

You will learn a little bit about honeybees and the basic equipment needed to start and the basic costs.  You will get a taster of what beekeeping is like as you watch the instructor open and inspect a colony of live bees.

The course will give you a basic overview without having to wade through loads of detail provided in other 'masterclass' type courses.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • The many wonderful benefits of bees and bee keeping and why you should consider becoming a beekeeper
  • The requirements needed to become a beekeeper
  • The challenges involved in starting any new activity or hobby and how to overcome them
  • The basic equipment you will need to start beekeeping and basic costs involved
  • What it is like to inspect a hive of bees

Syllabus

Students will have an overview of the course

In this lecture I introduce myself and cover a bit of my background in beekeeping.  I cover the overall topics of the course as well as reviewing materials and assignments the students can expect.

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In this lecture I cover how I got started in beekeeping and the lessons that can be learned from my experience.

In this lecture we reflect on who you need to be and what you need to have to become a beekeeper.

Before we go any further lets do a bit of reflection. What draws you to/interests you about bees and beekeeping?

This is your opportunity to introduce yourself to other course participants.

This lecture provides a recap of what we have covered in the first section and takes a look at what is coming next.

Students will know the basic equipment they need and the cost and will learn what it is like to open a hive full of bees

I cover what topics students will learn about in this section.

This lecture looks at the first key piece of beekeeping equipment that you will need - the beehive.

This lecture looks at other key pieces of beekeeping equipment - the beesuit, smoker, hive tool and bee brush.

This lecture looks at the key elements in preparing to inspect a colony of bees - light the smoker, put on the beesuit and prepare to go to the beehives……

The lecture, with a live bee colony, takes you through approaching the beehive, where to stand, smoking the hive, opening the hive and inspecting the bees.

This lecture recaps what students have learned in section 2 and looks ahead to section 3.

Students will have an understanding of the many benefits of bees and beekeeping

This lecture introduces section three of the course.

This lecture covers three key benefits of bees and beekeeping and why you should learn about bees/keep bees…

This activity is designed to increase your awareness of the bees around you on a daily basis.

This activity will increase your knowledge and awareness of bee products.  You can learn a lot by reading the labels!

This lecture recaps what we have learned in section 3 of the course and looks ahead to section 4 which is the final section of the course.

Take the quiz and test your knowledge of what we have covered so far.

Students will have a summary of what they learned and an introduction to a follow-on course.

This lecture gives an overview of the 4th section of the course.

This lecture looks at the process of starting anything new (including beekeeping) and the challenges which are likely to be encountered.   The lecture will help the student prepare to start beekeeping.

This lecture reflects back on the major topics we have covered in the course.

This activity will guide you through a structured process to assist you to reflect on what you have learned in this course and the next steps you will take to deepen your knowledge of bees and beekeeping. 

Attached to this lecture is a downloadable PDF file of additional beekeeping resources.

This lecture is the final lecture to congratulate and thank you for completing the course.  Check out the bonus lecture for details of follow-on courses.

Bonuses

In this lecture find out how to continue your learning on beekeeping with follow-on courses from Tom.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Explores why people should consider beekeeping and the many benefits it offers, making it suitable for individuals with an interest in beekeeping and the environment
Provides a basic overview of beekeeping, making it accessible to beginners with little to no prior beekeeping experience
Taught by an experienced beekeeper, Dr. Thomas Carroll, ensuring the credibility and quality of the course
Features a live demonstration of opening and inspecting a beehive, offering practical insights into beekeeping
Covers the requirements, challenges, and costs involved in beekeeping, preparing individuals for a more informed decision-making process
May require additional resources or experiences to fully comprehend the hands-on aspects of beekeeping

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Save Beekeeping: A first course for Aspiring Beekeepers to your list so you can find it easily later:
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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Beekeeping: A first course for Aspiring Beekeepers with these activities:
Increase your understanding of honeybees
Understanding the characteristics and behaviors of honeybees will lay the foundation for your journey as a beekeeper.
Show steps
  • Research the different species of honeybees and their unique traits.
  • Read articles or watch videos about honeybee anatomy and physiology.
  • Visit a local beekeeping association or museum to learn more about honeybees.
Practice setting up a beehive
Setting up a beehive requires precision and attention to detail. Guided tutorials can help you gain the necessary skills.
Show steps
  • Find online tutorials or videos on how to set up a beehive.
  • Gather the necessary materials, such as a hive box, frames, and foundation.
  • Follow the instructions in the tutorial carefully and assemble the hive.
  • Inspect the hive to ensure it is set up correctly.
Show all two activities

Career center

Learners who complete Beekeeping: A first course for Aspiring Beekeepers will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Sustainability Consultant
This course provides an introduction to beekeeping and the many benefits of bees and beekeeping. Sustainability Consultants advise clients on how to minimize their environmental impact and make their operations more sustainable. As bees are vital to the environment, this course can help Sustainability Consultants better understand the importance of bees and the role they play in the ecosystem, helping them to make more informed recommendations to their clients.
Environmental Engineer
This course provides an introduction to beekeeping and the many benefits of bees and beekeeping. Environmental Engineers design and implement solutions to environmental problems. As bees are vital to the environment, this course can help Environmental Engineers better understand the importance of bees and the role they play in the ecosystem, helping them to design and implement more effective solutions to environmental problems.
Conservation Officer
This course provides an introduction to beekeeping and the many benefits of bees and beekeeping. Conservation Officers enforce environmental laws and regulations and protect natural resources. As bees are vital to the environment, this course can help Conservation Officers better understand the importance of bees and the role they play in the ecosystem, helping them to more effectively enforce environmental laws and regulations and protect natural resources.
Environmental Scientist
This course provides an introduction to beekeeping and the many benefits of bees and beekeeping. Environmental Scientists conduct research and develop solutions to environmental problems. As bees are vital to the environment, this course can help Environmental Scientists better understand the importance of bees and the role they play in the ecosystem, helping them to conduct more effective research and develop more effective solutions to environmental problems.
Teacher
This course provides an introduction to beekeeping and the many benefits of bees and beekeeping. Teachers can use this knowledge to educate their students about the importance of bees and the role they play in the environment. This course provides a hands-on approach to learning about bees, which can be a great way to engage students and make learning about the environment more fun and interactive.
Entomologist
This course provides an introduction to beekeeping and the many benefits of bees and beekeeping. Entomologists study insects, including bees. This course can help Entomologists better understand the biology and behavior of bees, as well as the role they play in the environment.
Biologist
This course provides an introduction to beekeeping and the many benefits of bees and beekeeping. Biologists study living organisms, including bees. This course can help Biologists better understand the biology and behavior of bees, as well as the role they play in the environment.
Zoologist
This course provides an introduction to beekeeping and the many benefits of bees and beekeeping. Zoologists study animals, including bees. This course can help Zoologists better understand the biology and behavior of bees, as well as the role they play in the ecosystem.
Ecologist
This course provides an introduction to beekeeping and the many benefits of bees and beekeeping. Ecologists study the interactions between organisms and their environment, including bees. This course can help Ecologists better understand the role of bees in the environment, as well as the threats they face.
Environmental Educator
This course provides an introduction to beekeeping and the many benefits of bees and beekeeping. Environmental Educators teach people about the environment, including bees. This course can help Environmental Educators better understand the importance of bees and the role they play in the environment, helping them to teach their students about bees and inspire them to protect the environment.
Science Writer
This course provides an introduction to beekeeping and the many benefits of bees and beekeeping. Science Writers write about science and the environment for a variety of audiences. This course can help Science Writers better understand the importance of bees and the role they play in the environment, helping them to write more informed and engaging articles about bees and the environment.
Journalist
This course provides an introduction to beekeeping and the many benefits of bees and beekeeping. Journalists report on current events and issues, including environmental issues. This course can help Journalists better understand the importance of bees and the role they play in the environment, helping them to report on environmental issues in a more informed and engaging way.
Policy Analyst
This course provides an introduction to beekeeping and the many benefits of bees and beekeeping. Policy Analysts develop and analyze policies, including environmental policies. This course can help Policy Analysts better understand the importance of bees and the role they play in the environment, helping them to develop and analyze policies that protect bees and the environment.
Environmental Activist
This course provides an introduction to beekeeping and the many benefits of bees and beekeeping. Environmental Activists advocate for the protection of the environment, including bees. This course can help Environmental Activists better understand the importance of bees and the role they play in the environment, helping them to advocate for policies that protect bees and the environment.
Beekeeper
This course provides an introduction to beekeeping and the many benefits of bees and beekeeping. Beekeepers manage bee colonies to produce honey and other bee products. This course can help aspiring Beekeepers learn the basics of beekeeping and get started with their own beehives.

Reading list

We've selected 12 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Beekeeping: A first course for Aspiring Beekeepers.
A comprehensive guide to beekeeping that provides information on all aspects of the craft, from choosing the right equipment to managing your colonies.
A classic work on the life of bees. Provides a detailed account of the social structure of the hive and the behavior of bees.
A comprehensive guide to the pollinators of the world. Provides information on the different types of pollinators and their importance to the environment.
A scientific exploration of the social structure of the honeybee hive. Provides insights into the decision-making process of bees and the importance of cooperation.
A comprehensive guide to the natural history of bees. Provides information on the different types of bees and their behavior.
A book designed to meet the needs of first-time beekeepers. Explains the basics of beekeeping in an easy-to-understand way and provides helpful tips and advice.
A field guide to the bees of North America. Provides information on the different types of bees and their behavior.
A moving novel about a beekeeper in Aleppo who is struggling to survive during the Syrian Civil War. Explores the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of hope.
A practical guide to beekeeping for beginners. Provides step-by-step instructions on how to start and maintain a beehive.
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A fictional story about a bee society. Provides a unique perspective on the life of bees and the challenges they face in the modern world.

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