NDB Short Courses in Kent, Autumn-Winter 2011-2012

[DanBee]

The successful series of National Diploma in Beekeeping (NDB) Short Courses delivered earlier this year are to be offered again, with some new titles, during the coming months.

These two-day, intensive courses concentrate on specific areas of the beekeeping syllabus and, working in small groups, are intended for anyone who wants to get to the detail. They are particularly suitable for those who are involved in teaching within their local associations; one course deals specifically with teaching skills appropriate to beekeeping. Led by NDB-qualified tutors in modern, carefully chosen locations, these courses offer a challenging environment in which useful discussion and real learning can take place.

Cost is £140 per person; this includes all consumables, full course handouts, refreshment breaks and a light lunch on both days. Students enrolling on the “Teaching for Beekeeping Tutors” course may be eligible for a £115 subsidy from the Fera Healthy Bees Plan – further details are available upon request.

All courses are held near Sittingbourne in Kent. For further information on the individual courses and the venue, please see the NDB website.

If you wish to book a place, please complete and send in the application form along with payment.


Nutrition & Pollen - 8th & 9th September 2011

As beekeepers, we watch the comings and goings from a busy hive and have to wonder where they are foraging, what flowers are they visiting and what the resultant honey will be like? We may have a few clues to help us – the colour of the pollen loads on the legs of returning bees or perhaps we have seen a patch of flowers covered in honey bees, but that is about as far as we can go. We will examine all aspects of pollen, from its production by flowering plants to its extraction from honey and microscopic identification. Tutor: Bob Smith, NDB​

Anatomy & Dissection - 8th & 9th October 2011

Studying honeybee anatomy helps beekeepers understand how bees have are able to carry out the many and varied tasks they perform. Honeybees have been evolving for 100 million years and have become superbly adapted to survive and prosper in their environment. The aim of this course is to study, explore and gain an understanding of honeybee anatomy and to learn the techniques required to carry out successful dissection. Tutor: Graham Royle, NDB​

Adult Bee Diseases - 11th & 12th November 2011

We will develop an understanding of how colony health is affected by Acarine, Amoeba, Nosema, and the common viruses, and how these disorders can be managed. Practical work will complement this by providing field diagnosis and laboratory skills to allow positive diagnoses to be made, supporting timely and appropriate treatments. Tutor: Ken Basterfield, NDB​

Microscopy for Beekeepers - 28th & 29th January 2012

The microscope is a powerful tool which can provide a great deal of insight into the health and environment of our honeybees. We develop an understanding of both the compound and dissecting microscopes, with clear explanations of optical principles and practical steps to set-up and get the most out of these instruments. Using practical examples of honeybee anatomy, disease diagnosis, and pollen analysis, students will be able to practice many of the skills required of an Association Microscopist or for the BBKA Microscopy certificate. Tutor: Graham Royle, NDB​

Teaching for Beekeeping Tutors - 17th & 18th March 2012

Developed by a qualified and experienced teacher, this is a distillation of the City & Guilds 7303 course, aimed specifically at beekeeping tutors and addressing typical learning situations encountered in the apiary, classroom, and when giving talks. We investigate the different methods by which adults learn, and how to apply this to maintain both interest and attention whilst delivering information more effectively. Through a series of practical and pertinent examples, tutors will improve their confidence and ability to impart their beekeeping knowledge and experience to others. Tutor: Dr. Bridget Beattie, NDB​

Integrated Pest Management - 19th & 20th March 2012

We will cover all aspects of varroa and cover the potential threat from other exotic pests of honeybees. Integrated Pest Management is a widely-used tool in agriculture in order to minimise the use of chemicals for pest control. The techniques help to keep populations of pests at levels below the threshold at which they damage their hosts thus delaying the use of such chemicals and helping to avoid or delay the onset of resistance of pests to effective treatments. Tutor: Dr. Bridget Beattie, NDB​

 

[Bcrazy]

Too expensive.

Whilst i applaud the NDB members for tutoring these pro grammes the cost is way out of many beekeepers reach , myself included. I am disabled and live on state handouts and therefor do not have any extra cash for such great programs as these.
I would like to do the Disease and Microscopy courses but the amount i would need to find is way out of my scope.
Can the BBKA help us in any way to subsidies members who find it difficult to raise money for courses. (One can live in hope.)

I did attend a course last year and would recommend them to beekeepers who wish to keep up with the latest information regarding whatever subject they chose.

Mo