Certificate in Education: Modules

Module 1

Immersion into current models

What is education for sustainability?

This module introduces participants to the field of Adult Education for Sustainability through a range of organisations, practices and theories, in particular Schumacher College itself. Students will engage with these examples and the questions that arise through lectures, participation in practice, experiential work and discussion. We will 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 Research. Includes: Participant presentations; Gandhian philosophy; Danish and Scandinavian Life Long Learning models; movement practice.

Module 2

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. Includes: exploration of ‘different ways of knowing’ and embodied knowing; the Transition Town movement and training communities for transition; Open Space Technology, and Forest Gardens as a ‘living class room’.

Module 3

The Inner Educator

An exploration into leadership and connective practices
Who am I as a leader? As an educator? What do I offer?

Much of this module will involve deep personal and group work exploring questions of leadership, ideas of power and individuals’ skills and identities as educators. We also explore what types of practice enable people to connect deeply within groups, to step outside of habitual ways of thinking and to move through issues that can arise when facing contemporary global issues. Using experiential work, time away living closer to the land and leadership theory, we will explore what this means for our professional practice. Includes: Joanna Macy’s The Work That Reconnects; Leadership theories and solo reflection time.

Module 4

Integration and Design

How do we design curricula, courses and experiences? + Resources and networks.

This module moves more explicitly towards supporting the detail of the educational process that participants wish to develop. Using scenarios and the group’s actual project work, much of the time will be spent in the form of a working studio using the professional, peer and practical resources of the course and college. The group will ‘prototype’ ideas and explore practical resources for their ongoing work. Includes: Curricula designed from nature, presentation skills, social sculpture as curriculum and further forms of facilitation.

Module 5

Presentations and Celebration

Completions and next steps.

Participants will have approximately 1hour each to present their work in a format appropriate to their study. For example a combination of lecture, experiential exercise, performance, film or exhibition. Presentations will be witnessed and thorough feedback given by mentors, facilitator, peers and an outside educational consultant.