Gardening and farming activities during COVID-19 to bridge informal and formal education

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Published: Jan 30, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18844/ijlt.v18i1.9545

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Nanda Appaji
Biodiversity Education and Research Lab, Environmental Study Center, Opposite University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Karnataka, India
Gungurumale Laxminarasimhacharya Janardhana
Elder’s life Exhilaration Centre, Opposite University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Jnana Sagara Nave Trust ® Rathnakaranagar, No 70/1, Shivamogga 577204, Karnataka, India

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic, school closures, and resulting learning deficiencies created universal challenges for teachers, parents, and students. This study aimed to understand how garden activities connect to textbook concepts. We collected responses from 8,923 students (Lower Primary School, Higher Primary School, and High School) and 24,255 family members using a semi-structured questionnaire. Results showed that Lower Primary School students were more involved in the activities than those in Higher Primary or High School. Among parents, fathers provided more exposure to skills than mothers. High School students gained more skills and knowledge, and their grasp of textbook concepts was better than that of students in Lower or Higher Primary. Future research could examine how linking garden and farming modules to classroom learning affects formal education.


Keywords: Concept mapping; experiential learning; family involvement; formal education; gardening

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How to Cite
Appaji, N., & Janardhana, G. L. (2026). Gardening and farming activities during COVID-19 to bridge informal and formal education. International Journal of Learning and Teaching, 18(1), 18–36. https://doi.org/10.18844/ijlt.v18i1.9545
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Vol. 18 No. 1 (2026): January
Section
Articles
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