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Ourganics Evolving Systems,
Bridport, West Dorset |
(six full days)
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| July 2009 - dates to be confirmed |
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 The world is waking up to climate change and other effects of unsustainable growth. We know permaculture has answers, so if you’ve ever wanted to inspire others but haven’t had the confidence this course is for you. This course is suitable for all abilities: both apprentice & experienced teachers & also for those who have just completed their Permaculture Design course (PDC). During the course we will be focusing on the tools & techniques for teaching & facilitating permaculture learning & the practicalities of convening & running courses. We won't be revisiting the topics on a PDC in any depth and so it is recommended that if your permaculture knowledge is a bit rusty that you do some preparatory background reading before the course.
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The ToT will concentrate on permaculture training but the techniques covered can be applied to any other subject and hence the course would be valuable for any teacher wanting to expand their creative teaching techniques. The course will be lively and interactive on all levels using plenty of diversity in teaching styles. We intend to use the course as a working example of how much can be achieved in a 6 day course using accelerated learning techniques. We will be looking at the whole process of running a course – from finding a venue & course publicity to evaluation & follow up. |
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"It was an amazing boost to my confidence as a teacher and loads of fun." *
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Ourganics Evolving Systems constitutes five acres of water meadow close to the coast in rural West Dorset. It is a working permaculture project set up by Pat Bowcock in 1999 with its own detailed design that participants will have the opportunity to interact with. It is a venue that has already been used for apprentice design work on previous design courses, and that also regularly hosts tours by local schools & groups. Pat started Ourganics because she wanted to run her own business that was sustainable and debt-free unlike so many that run in constant debt. She wanted to show that permaculture principles could go hand in hand with being Soil Association-registered to create a land-based, self-financing and viable business which would provide affordable organic vegetables, herbs, salads, fruit and flowers for the local community, with produce going out direct from the field as well as via farmers' markets, box schemes, farm shops etc. Ourganics has the extra label "evolving systems" because like anything organic, the project is continually evolving, responding and changing. Ourganics is a fantastic venue for this course and lends itself well to practical demonstrations of permaculture in action, making it easy for participants to carry out micro teaches.
Click here for location maps |
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"Inspiring and leaves us fully ready to go" *
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We aim to empower people to realise their own skills as facilitators and will be using methods for building confidence of the participants throughout. This will culminate in each participant giving a microteach to put into practice what they have learnt. Our aim is to support participants on their teaching career beyond the ToT. There will be opportunities for apprentice teaching with the Designed Visions team on PDCs, and we would be willing to come and teach on introductory and full permaculture courses that participants convene in their local area. |
| "Challenging but empowering. It gave me the courage to be the teacher I know I am." * |
Subjects covered:
Setting training objectives ~ Training design
Teaching methods ~ Preparing training sessions
Training tools ~ Training needs assessment
Games & energisers ~ Facilitation skills
Micro-session preparation ~ Presentation skills
Rapport building ~ Convening courses
Course design ~ Learning methods
Assessment & evaluation ~ Follow up |
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"I’ve had an excellent experience and feel very confident in supporting a PDC & other courses." *
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This course takes place in 3 phases:
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1. Course & Session Design
Participants will learn how to:
- Plan course programmes (e.g. an annual teaching programme, daily schedules) in harmony with the rhythms and cycles of nature, to optimise quality teaching and learning.
- Produce lesson plans, which include the necessary components of: learning objectives, content, method, and evaluation process.
- Design and deliver effective presentations, of various lengths, to different target audiences, including fast-track conveying of permaculture basics.
- Set up the space (environment and topic ‘warm-in’) for powerful and effective learning / teaching.
- Design sessions appropriate for different sized groups (e.g. 10, 100), and use effective group-work skills.
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2. Creative Teaching Tools & Techniques
Participants will learn how to:
- Gain the confidence and competence to facilitate & teach permaculture.
- Use many creative teaching and learning techniques.
- Use a variety of teaching strategies that promote student-centred learning.
- Teach with consideration for ‘multiple intelligences’ and ‘learning styles’ (visual, kinesthetic, auditory).
- Apply participation, motivation and inclusion methods.
- Use techniques designed to assist students in retaining learning.
- Develop strategies for coping with students with different learning styles, levels and diverse needs.
- Identify stages in a group’s development and teach / facilitate appropriately.
- Apply different strategies suitable for teaching in a variety of environments.
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3. Course Logistics
Participants will learn how to:
- Be a part of an effective permaculture design course team (lead tutor, support person, convener).
- Set up, finance and market a standard permaculture design course, as well as specific ‘target group’ workshops and presentations.
- Budget for courses, set fees and form contracts.
- Issue certificates and diplomas.
- Participate in a national and international learning community of permaculture educators.
- Work with the WEA (Worker’s Educational Association) who are able to provide financial assistance with courses.
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* Comments from previous years' course participants.
| Click here to view a slideshow of photos from previous Training of teachers courses |
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Investment:
Sliding scale - depending upon income: £345 (concessionary places limited to four), £435 (low waged - under 15K/year), £495 (waged), £575 (organisations). Early bookings eligible for reduced rate (see above). Fees include tuition, camping* and all meals, handouts & end of course CDROM. A deposit of £50 will secure your place on the course (& your fee reduction if received before 10th June).
* For those not wanting to camping, there is a Youth Hostel just down the road in the village with beds costing around £7 per night.
Booking:
Dates are still being set for this course in 2009, but if you'd like to be put on the waiting list please contact:
Chris: 01269 822786 or email
Please note that the 2008 course was fully booked several months in advance & developed a waiting list
*Anyone booking before 10th April at the £435, £495 or £575 rates (a deposit secures your place)
will be eligible for a £20 fee reduction & will receive a free copy of the 'Earth Stars' CD |
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Maps:
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