Schumacher Certificate in Education

Daniel Thistlethwaite local resident. Photographer at Schumacher College September 2007. dan.t@zen.co.uk

A groundbreaking vocational programme in (adult) education for sustainability

Programme module dates for 2008:
28 January – 2 February; 25-30 March; 19-24 May; 7-12 July; 6-11 October

In these critical times, we need new forms of education and a new generation of educators. Questions of sustainability and culture change offer us exciting challenges and opportunities to go beyond what we currently understand as education. We need models and practices that emerge from context, that engage with multiple ways of knowing, and that enable people to become leaders in their professional and personal communities. This part time Action Learning programme provides a platform for exploration in practical, experiential and conceptual learning to support your professional practice.

Bursary News

We are delighted to announce that we now are able to offer a limited number of bursaries, some for a substantial percentage of the course fees. Please see Bursaries for information on how to apply.

What this programme offers you

Through form and content, this programme offers you

This course is for: educators, facilitators and change agents in all types of mainstream or alternative education who wish to implement and integrate education for sustainability in practical and meaningful ways. Your work may be in the field of Continuing Professional Development, postgraduate studies, facilitation or you may be setting up a new educational venture. This Programme allows you to co-create a learning journey appropriate to your needs and interests, so will be of interest to anyone wishing to change or deepen their current practice; to develop a new project or as support during transition to a new career path.

Programme Structure

This is a one-year, part time Action Learning programme. The part time structure enables participants to experiment with, reflect on, and document their learning in between sessions, and to integrate the work into their practice. Activities will include: Lectures, seminars and workshops; tutorials; group process work; experiential exercises; field trips; self-organised learning; work groups, social time, meditation and physical exercise, plus facilitated and independent distance learning between modules. The programme culminates with each participant presenting a proposal for their future work.

Programme Content

Module 1: 28 January – 2 February, 2008
(Arrivals from 4pm on 27 January, first session 8pm)

Immersion into current models
What is education for sustainability? An introduction to existing models and approaches.

This module introduces participants to the field of Adult Education for Sustainability through a range of organisations, practices and theories. Students will engage with these examples and the questions that arise through lectures, participation in practice, experiential work and discussion. We will also explore our collective notions and framings of what sustainability is, to create a platform from which to work. This first week is also a time for introductions: to each other, to the learning approach that we will co-create together (see teaching and learning section), and to some of the core teachings (theory and practice) such as Deep Ecology and Action Learning. Participants will be asked to begin the week with a short presentation of their work and what they are intending to explore. This module includes a Deep Ecology Field trip to Dartmoor

Module 2: 25-30 March, 2008
Context and Complexity
Local, cultural, global. How do we understand education in and for a complex world? An exploration of holism, ethics and ecologies.

This module explores the Context within which we are working for sustainability: personal, local and global. We will introduce theories and practices of Complexity, another of the core teachings of Schumacher College, and begin to draw together what these topics mean for education. This module includes engagement with Transition Town Totnes and Open Space Technology.

Module 3: 19-24 May, 2008
Education and inner leadership
Who am I as a leader? As an educator? What can I offer?

Much of this module will involve deep personal and group work exploring questions of leadership, ideas of power and our identities as leaders and educators. We will reconnect with our ideas and experiences of nature and our relationship there, and what this means for our professional practice.

Module 4: 7-12 July, 2008
Integration and Design
How do we design curricula, courses and experiences? Plus resources and networks.

Module 5: 6-11 October, 2008
Presentations and Celebration
Completions and next steps.

Optional Module: November/December 2008 (TBC)
Ethical Pioneers A separate short course designed to support those setting up new enterprises, including educational ventures.
Special 20% discount on the Ethical Pioneers course for Certificate in Education applicants. Please apply when making your booking.

Courses

Throughout the year, the following courses are interwoven through the modules: Education for Sustainability; Philosophies of Education; Action Learning; Leadership skills: authentic leadership and communication skills; Designing Education: methods and processes, resourcing, creativity.

During each module, we will explore a particular theme or aspect of Education for Sustainability, with time in mentor groups, sign-up tutorial options with various teachers, space for the group to self organize and the ongoing rhythm of living in community while at Schumacher College.

Assignments

At the end of each module, participants will have co-designed a personal assignment with their mentor group, in relation to their own inquiry and practice. The research and completion of this may involve traditional research for example through books and interviews, it may be a piece of creative or experimental work for example personal storytelling, or a report of a project designed in response to the course so far. These assignments are designed to support the individual learning journey and may be focused on practising a skill, or on challenging a learning edge towards personal and professional growth.

Cost

The cost for the programme is £6.500. This includes teaching, tutorials (including distance learning support), assessments, materials and some field trips, as well as food and lodgings.

Schumacher College is part of the Dartington Hall Trust, a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and as a charity (company no. 1485560, charity no. 279756). Registered office: The Elmhirst Centre, Dartington Hall, Totnes, Devon TQ9 6EL, UK.