Category: Didactics

The method of teaching. This may include learning materials, formats, lesson plans etc.

Permaculture Educators’ Course

The Permaculture Educators’ Course (Permaculture Teachers’ Training) is held at Friland eco-village in Denmark by Andy Goldring. It is an 8 day teacher training for permaculture educators. It takes you through learning and teaching theory, a lot of practice on microteach sessions, lots of games, fun, interaction, excursions and how to design and convene courses, how… Continue reading Permaculture Educators’ Course

Community Building with Playback Theatre

Playback theatre (PT) is a tool to share personal stories that are performed by PT actors. Audience and stage are at the same level and the link between them is the conductor/facilitator who creates a safe/welcoming atmosphere and invites people to share their stories. Main goal of PT is building community but is can be… Continue reading Community Building with Playback Theatre

Permaculture Course Formats

During the third of the seven EPT meetings held at Quinta do Vale da Lama in Algarve, Portugal, teachers from all over Europe extensively discussed various course formats for teaching Permaculture to beginners: Introduction to Permaculture Permaculture Design Certificate Courses (PDCs) Further Introductory Permaculture Opportunities There are also advanced training opportunities  for Permaculturalists (who have… Continue reading Permaculture Course Formats

What is “microteaching”?

(…) Invented in the mid-1960s at Stanford University by Dr. Dwight W. Allen, micro-teaching has been used with success for several decades now, as a way to help teachers acquire new skills. (…) Micro lessons are great opportunities to present sample “snapshots” of what/how you teach and to get some feedback from colleagues about how… Continue reading What is “microteaching”?

Program of the York Introduction to Permaculture Course

York Introduction to Permaculture Course 17-18 April 2004 Tutor: Andy Goldring We will start promptly at 10am on both days, please try to arrive around 9.30 so we have time to settle in before we start. Bring food to share for lunch, magazines, books or other materials of interest, and warm clothes as we will… Continue reading Program of the York Introduction to Permaculture Course

Exploring the Landscape / Identifying Principles

  Learning outcomes: By the end of the session the students will be able to: Get familiarized with permaculture principles Find permaculture principles everywhere Give examples of how permaculture principles can be applied in any design Duration: 30 min What is needed? Just a group of permies, yourself and a place to explore. You can… Continue reading Exploring the Landscape / Identifying Principles

Danced Massage (an ending or used to change the mood)

Once the group is built, you can invite them to some relaxing activity such as massage. This one includes some dancing also, so you will need some music and a comfortable place where the students can lie down. This activity is especially effective when the work has been too focused on the mind. Split the… Continue reading Danced Massage (an ending or used to change the mood)

Choosing Content (and Methods) for an “Introduction to Permaculture” Course

In this article I offer a “junior teacher’s” perspective to selecting content and methods for a two day introductory course. I also asked Graham Bell, one of the most experienced permaculture teachers, his take on designing a full Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) course. See a separate article with timetable, core curriculum and Graham Bell’s thoughts,… Continue reading Choosing Content (and Methods) for an “Introduction to Permaculture” Course

Teacher Resources: Course Checklist and Participant Questionnaire

Teachers, designing and preparing a course, may find these resources helpful: Andy Goldring, UK, shares a Checklist for things to prepare / think about for a course (download the PDF), including: Audio / Visual / IT Library & Information Materials & Resources Venue Checklist Personal Stuff Course-Specific Convenor Job Description Cultivate in Ireland issue a… Continue reading Teacher Resources: Course Checklist and Participant Questionnaire

Kolb’s Learning Styles Model

Permaculture students come from all walks of life and everyone has their own way of receiving and processing the new information, skills and ideas. On Rosemary Morrow’s teacher training courses an essential part of the content is familiarising with Kolb’s  Experiential Learning Theory and the four different styles of how people learn that he’s identified.… Continue reading Kolb’s Learning Styles Model

Ecology Basics

Session Length: 90 min Learning objectives: By the end of the session, participants will be able to: Say what Ecology means, how it differs from other fields, and understand their and human role in it. Describe Main Principles of Ecology with examples for human design Explain in more detail 3 of ecological processes Draw a… Continue reading Ecology Basics

Microclimates

Session length: 90 minutes Learning outcomes By the end of the session, participants will be able to: read landscapes and point out microclimates map microclimates in a house or garden describe how to modify extremes of climate know how to make the most of exisitng microclimates in design consider strategies for small and large landscapes… Continue reading Microclimates

Zone 4

Session length 90 min. Learning outcomes By the end of the session, participants will be able to list all the harvestable products from a forest/treesplants understand why it is important to plant back the number of trees we consume in a lifetime- and more! State characteristics of the Zone 4 in terms of structure of… Continue reading Zone 4

Session Plan Collection from Andy Goldring

  Andy Goldring, UK Permaculture Association, has shared seven lessons plans: 1. Real Wealth and Wiser Money Objectives: Explain different forms of exchange that make up a local economy Know that there are economic strategies available to help support and develop  local economies Make links between ‘green economy’ approaches and permaculture. Explain that local self-reliance needs a… Continue reading Session Plan Collection from Andy Goldring

Session Plan Collection from Monika Frank

Monika Frank, France, has shared some lessons plans: 1. Design Process and Elements of Permaculture Design A 90 minute session Objectives: Know different steps in design cycle / process Know why it is important to follow a design process and that it is cyclical Get the idea that permaculture design does not only mean planning a… Continue reading Session Plan Collection from Monika Frank

VAK Learning Styles Self-Assessment Questionnaire

Some more interesting material by Aranya, with acknowledgements to Victoria Chislett (see contact info at the end of the article). Enjoy! VAK Learning Styles Self-Assessment Questionnaire Circle or tick the answer that most represents how you generally behave. (It’s best to complete the questionnaire before reading the accompanying explanation.) 1. When I operate new equipment… Continue reading VAK Learning Styles Self-Assessment Questionnaire

Participation, motivation & inclusion methods

Here some very interesting material by Aranya. Enjoy! Training or learning? Modern principles of effective training and development Focus on learning, not training As a teacher, you may talk about learning, not training, thus focusing on the person (from the inside out, not the outside in), and offer relevant learning in as many ways as… Continue reading Participation, motivation & inclusion methods