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Schumacher Certificate in Education for Sustainability
Applications are now closed for the 2009 Schumacher Certificate in Education for Sustainability. We are happy to receive enquiries for 2010 and will post the course dates and application deadlines when available.
Already booked on the course? Click here for course resources
A vocational programme in holistic, transformative, adult education – for educators, facilitators and change agents.
New course starts February 2009
In these critical times, we need new forms of education and a new generation of educators. Questions of sustainability and the culture change necessary offer us exciting challenges and opportunities to go beyond what we currently understand as education. We need models and practices that emerge from place within a globalised world, that engage with multiple ways of knowing, and that enable people to become leaders in their professional and personal communities. This programme provides a platform for exploration in practical, experiential and conceptual learning to support your professional practice.
For the first time in my life I can say that I experienced a transformative learning process. A process that started and I am sure it will continue for all my life. Current participant, Alex Bianciardi, Environmental Consultant, Cyprus
Click here to download an application form, which includes application instructions. See below for more information about the application process.
Click here to down-load a pdf about the programme to display or pass on to a friend or colleague.
Course Structure
This is a one-year, part time Action Research programme. Through practical examples, theory and creative processes, participants will have the opportunity to explore ideas in a dynamic learning environment. 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 professional and personal practice. There is support and feedback from the certificate tutors and peers during the intervals.
Activities will include: Lectures, seminars and workshops; tutorials; group process work; experiential exercises; site visits; self-organised activities; work groups, social time, meditation and physical exercise, plus facilitated and independent distance learning.
Click here for more information about each module
What makes this course different is the equal weighting given to many different ways to know – from ideas to experience to the valuing of participants’ practice. This is holistic knowing for a more whole future. Chris Seeley Bath University School of Management and Oxford Brookes University (contributor to the Certificate in Education)
Programme Structure 2009
| Module 1 | 16 – 20 Feb | Immersion into current models An introduction to existing models and approaches |
| Module 2 | 20 – 24 April | Context and Complexity: Local, cultural, global An exploration of education in and for a complex world |
| Module 3 | 22 – 26 June | The Inner Educator An exploration into leadership and connective practices |
| Module 4 | 7 – 11 Sept | Integration and Design Designing curricula, courses, resources and experiences |
| Module 5 | 16 – 20 Nov | Presentations and Celebration Presentations, feedback, completions and next steps |
| Optional Module | 23 Nov – 4 Dec (TBC) | Ethical Pioneers Support for those setting up new ventures |
The part time action learning structure enables you as participants to experiment with, reflect on, and document your learning in between sessions, and to integrate the work into your practice. Peer learning is a central part of the programme, during and between modules. There will also be opportunities for participants to offer presentations / sessions for each other during the course.
Modules
During each module, we will explore a particular theme or aspect of Education for Sustainability, interwoven 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.
See above for modules in 2009
Click here for more information about each module
Through form and content, the programme offers you
- key insights into the rich and emerging field of education for sustainability
- leadership skills, practical skills and essential resources
- space to challenge assumptions and explore possibilities
- a robust and participative learning process
- creative processes for designing and offering courses and curricula
- the opportunity to create a strong learning community of peers
This course is for educators, facilitators and change agents in all types of mainstream or alternative adult education and Continuing Professional Development, who wish to implement and integrate education for sustainability in practical and meaningful ways, and for those setting up new educational ventures around the world. The focus is on adult education though all interested parties are welcome to apply.
The programme culminates with each participant presenting a proposal for their future work so will be of interest to anyone wishing to change or deepen their current practice; to develop a new educational establishment or as support during transition to a new career path in the field.
I am delighted to be involved in the Schumacher Certificate in Education, which gives students a rich space to explore education for sustainability in its widest form. Not only does the programme give students a platform to really develop their understanding and skills but also us, as course contributors, a chance to benefit from their various journeys in this area. Peter Reason, Director of Centre for Action Research in Professional Practice, University of Bath (contributor to the Certificate in Education)
Read more about how the Certificate was developed
Read more about the first year of the Certificate
Contributors include
Anthony Brown Ecosa Institute; Karen Blincoe Schumacher College and ICIS, International Centre for Creativity, Innovation and Sustainability; Brian Goodwin, Stephan Harding, Satish Kumar and Toni Spencer Schumacher College; Anne Phillips; Stephen Sterling CSF Plymouth University; Professor John Wood Goldsmiths College, University of London; Sophy Banks, Rob Hopkins and Naresh Giangrande Transition Towns Movement; Professor Peter Reason Bath University School of Management; Chris Seeley Bath University School of Management and Oxford Brookes University; Susannah Darling Kahn School of Movement Medicine; Chris Nichols Ashridge; Pat Fleming; Tim Macartney and Jo Clark Embercombe.
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Click below for articles by world experts who are inspirational for course participants: |
Beyond the visiting contributors and faculty, some key references are:
David Orr; Margaret Wheatley; Parker Palmer; Paolo Friere; Thomas Berry; Bell Hooks; Ed O’Sullivan; Joanna Macy; Otto Scharmer; Judi Marshall; John Heron; David Selby; Rabindranath Tagore; Vinoba Bhave; Donella Meadows; Ivan Illich; Bill Mollison; Shelley Sacks; Starhawk; David Bohm.
Activities between Modules
The self-directed periods between modules is time for you to put your learning into action, and time to reflect on what arises. While you will be bringing the inquiry into daily life and work, we estimate you need to schedule for approximately a day a week (or equivalent) to carry out project work, reading etc. as appropriate to your schedule and your practice. There will be 2/3 points of contact (email or telephone) with your mentor and group, with the possibility of further support between peers as decided by the group. During this period you must complete an ‘assignment’ or project report. The form of this can be negotiated with your mentor and must be submitted to mentors and facilitator at least 1 week before the following module.
Participants are also encouraged to keep a journal and to see this process as a time for reflection inspired by the residential ‘teaching’ modules and the actions you take in the world.
Projects and submissions
There will be 4 written projects/ reports to be submitted. There are 3 initial shorter projects of 3- 4,000 words or equivalent (to be arranged with mentor) with various format options, for example: theoretical, experimental, performative, personal narrative or project report, plus a final major assignment with a visual presentation of the participant’s professional proposal, for example: outline of new project or plan for changes in current professional practice.
At the end of each module, participants will design a personal assignment with the support of their mentor and 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 or action 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.
Feedback
Project work is not formally assessed in terms of marks. Thorough qualitative feedback – from staff and peers – is given on personal and professional development, addressing criteria such as action, reflection, ideas and inquiry. These criteria are applied to both content of projects, and to your inquiry into your own learning processes.
Application
Applications are now closed for the 2009 Schumacher Certificate in Education for Sustainability. We are happy to receive enquiries for 2010 and will post the course dates and application deadlines when available.
If you wish to apply for 2010, do register your interest even if you are not yet in a position to apply in full. admin@Schumachercollege.org.uk
Click here to download an application form, which includes application instructions.
Cost
We are thrilled to announce that due to additional funding which we have received to support this aspect of our work, the fee for the Certificate in Education for Sustainability is now £5000 for 2009 (previously £6500). This includes teaching, tutorials, assessments, materials and some field trips, as well as food and lodgings.
Financial Support
A limited number of bursaries are available for the Certificate in Education. We encourage those that genuinely cannot otherwise afford to attend to apply. Please see the website section on bursaries for more general information. Please note that you are more likely to receive partial support for your fees if you have secured some funding from another source.
Accreditation and Endorsement
We are developing a Schumacher Endorsement for projects developed through the Certificate. The Schumacher Certificate in Education is an independent vocational course and there is no external accreditation given. Certificates of completion will be issued by Schumacher College to those that successfully complete the course. Requests for references, project endorsements or other forms of recommendations are considered on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of Schumacher College.
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.