Diploma Pathway
The diploma pathway is a chance to design the course of your diploma. As long as it is using permaculture design principles, a diplomate can build just about any skill and do just about any project. This is quite a fun experience! It is not fully completed, and will undergo a process of evaluation, redesign and implementation as time goes on.
Skillflex
First, I shall present the 'skillflex'. This includes just some of the skills I have (I kind of struggled to think!), along with skills that I would like to develop over the course of the diploma. From this, I can create learning opportunities that will develop these skills.
Goals Articulation
Next, I have articulated my goals for the diploma, and also life in general. I found it useful to set my goals so that I can more consciously work towards them. I have presented them both in the future tense and in the present tense. Many motivational theories argue that setting goals in the present tense increases our ease of seeing them through to reality.
Project list
I combined my skillflex, goals articulation and opportunities into a set of projects that I can complete over the diploma. Some of these projects are likely to split down into smaller projects; overlap with other projects; or form part of a larger project. For example, my garden design, incredible edible, and business planning may all form part of my local economic development.
Project Briefs - Update 08/11/11
I am aware that my project list wont mean much to most people. So I am going to include a quick overview of each project.
Garden Design
For a few years I have wanted to do a permaculture design on my parents' garden. I now have the go ahead! The design will include vegetables; decorative edibles (such as nasturtiums); sensory plants; fruit trees; and maybe some livestock. The parts will be integrated in such a way that will maximise the beneficial interrelationships, such as planting nasturtiums and wild carrot among the vegetable beds to encourage beneficial insects. The design will also require a flexible and innovative approach, since our garden is on the northern edge of a semi-ancient woodland and has 2 mature oak trees in it - creating lots of shade! I look forward to making this 'problem' a 'solution'!
Incredible Edible Appleton
I have been massively inspired by the Incredible Edible movement. Very closely linked to guerilla gardening, it begins with turning barren areas of public land into productive food growing spaces! It is also a vehicle for bringing issues such as food security; the environment; healthy eating; and community into the local consciousness. A part of this project was the idea of Appleton Apples - planting apple trees around the area. If anybody is interested in getting involved, contact me. This project will allow me to local people interested in these things, and also build relationships with the local council - helping to get these issues on the agenda!
Lucid Dreaming
Have you ever become aware that you are dreaming, and been able to take control of the dream? This is called lucid dreaming, and it is AWESOME. Without the constraints of ordinary reality, your dreaming life is limited only by your imagination! When you become conscious of the fact you are dreaming, you can choose to fly; make music with new instruments; even explore what the universe might be like if you stopped existing! In order to regularly attain a lucid state you need some discipline in your day to day life, getting into a routine of checking if you are dreaming. My project will explore some ways of making these 'reality checks' come automatically. It will also explore how I can integrate and relate lucid dreaming with other areas of my life. For example, could I use lucid dreaming as a 3D simulator in which I can design my garden?! Could I trial run business meetings in order to make myself feel less nervous and more prepared to achieve my aims? This will be an exciting and enlightening project!
Business
I would describe myself as being pretty entrepreneurial. I regularly see gaps in the market and opportunities to add value to peoples lives. I also value the freedom to set my own goals and be self directed. A good business will allow me to make a valuable contribution to the world; doing something that I am passionate about; whilst allowing me to accumulate the resources to live comfortably and invest in other socially beneficial activities. In this project I will apply permaculture and design principles to develop a high quality business plan and move forward in this area of my life.
Integral Life Design
In a sense this will be an extension of my diploma pathway. It is based on the realisation that balance is vital in life, and no less so in the arena of personal development and growth. I will develop a framework to ensure that I grow holistically, pursuing a range of activities that nourish me physically, socially, mentally and spiritually. This is sure to be an interesting and transformational project!
E-book
I have been exploring the concept of passive income lately. Passive income relates to money that accrues disproportionately to the effort expended. An e-book is such an example, since after the initial writing and marketing you could theoretically have an infinite number of sales and not have to put in another hours worth of effort! It is distinguished from active income whereby, for example, you charge per hour worked or have to produce and ship each sale. I intend to write an e-book that is full of useful information and inspiration.
Empowering Media
Much of what is broadcast through media is disempowering. It sets up impossible aspirations of people who are more beautiful, more powerful, and richer than we are. It programs us to spend our money on unnecessary items under the premise that we will feel happier and people will like us more. Cue empowering media, such as the video on the homepage of my site, which focus on your assets and inherent value! This project will develop valuable media skills and help people to live happy and fulfilling lives. It might also help, even just one person, to move from a feeling of lack to a sense of 'enough'.
Something to do with Bushcraft (!)
For a long time I have been intrigued by bushcraft and survival skills. They were one of my greatest interests when I was in the Cadets, and a driving motivation to join the Armed Forces. I am aware of the connection with, and reverence for nature that develops when one learns how she can nourish and care for us even in the most challenging environments. It's also really fun! So I want to do a project with something to do with bushcraft, although I'm not sure what yet!
Teaching
I want to teach permaculture! It is awesome and I want to spread the word and inspire people to make positive change in their lives! In order to become eligible to teach full Permaculture Design Course's, I must apprentice under other teachers. This project will involve developing lesson plans and gaining more teaching experience. I will also deliver a two day 'Introduction to Permaculture' course.
Local Economic Development
Eden
Permaculture Global Vision
Garden Design
For a few years I have wanted to do a permaculture design on my parents' garden. I now have the go ahead! The design will include vegetables; decorative edibles (such as nasturtiums); sensory plants; fruit trees; and maybe some livestock. The parts will be integrated in such a way that will maximise the beneficial interrelationships, such as planting nasturtiums and wild carrot among the vegetable beds to encourage beneficial insects. The design will also require a flexible and innovative approach, since our garden is on the northern edge of a semi-ancient woodland and has 2 mature oak trees in it - creating lots of shade! I look forward to making this 'problem' a 'solution'!
Incredible Edible Appleton
I have been massively inspired by the Incredible Edible movement. Very closely linked to guerilla gardening, it begins with turning barren areas of public land into productive food growing spaces! It is also a vehicle for bringing issues such as food security; the environment; healthy eating; and community into the local consciousness. A part of this project was the idea of Appleton Apples - planting apple trees around the area. If anybody is interested in getting involved, contact me. This project will allow me to local people interested in these things, and also build relationships with the local council - helping to get these issues on the agenda!
Lucid Dreaming
Have you ever become aware that you are dreaming, and been able to take control of the dream? This is called lucid dreaming, and it is AWESOME. Without the constraints of ordinary reality, your dreaming life is limited only by your imagination! When you become conscious of the fact you are dreaming, you can choose to fly; make music with new instruments; even explore what the universe might be like if you stopped existing! In order to regularly attain a lucid state you need some discipline in your day to day life, getting into a routine of checking if you are dreaming. My project will explore some ways of making these 'reality checks' come automatically. It will also explore how I can integrate and relate lucid dreaming with other areas of my life. For example, could I use lucid dreaming as a 3D simulator in which I can design my garden?! Could I trial run business meetings in order to make myself feel less nervous and more prepared to achieve my aims? This will be an exciting and enlightening project!
Business
I would describe myself as being pretty entrepreneurial. I regularly see gaps in the market and opportunities to add value to peoples lives. I also value the freedom to set my own goals and be self directed. A good business will allow me to make a valuable contribution to the world; doing something that I am passionate about; whilst allowing me to accumulate the resources to live comfortably and invest in other socially beneficial activities. In this project I will apply permaculture and design principles to develop a high quality business plan and move forward in this area of my life.
Integral Life Design
In a sense this will be an extension of my diploma pathway. It is based on the realisation that balance is vital in life, and no less so in the arena of personal development and growth. I will develop a framework to ensure that I grow holistically, pursuing a range of activities that nourish me physically, socially, mentally and spiritually. This is sure to be an interesting and transformational project!
E-book
I have been exploring the concept of passive income lately. Passive income relates to money that accrues disproportionately to the effort expended. An e-book is such an example, since after the initial writing and marketing you could theoretically have an infinite number of sales and not have to put in another hours worth of effort! It is distinguished from active income whereby, for example, you charge per hour worked or have to produce and ship each sale. I intend to write an e-book that is full of useful information and inspiration.
Empowering Media
Much of what is broadcast through media is disempowering. It sets up impossible aspirations of people who are more beautiful, more powerful, and richer than we are. It programs us to spend our money on unnecessary items under the premise that we will feel happier and people will like us more. Cue empowering media, such as the video on the homepage of my site, which focus on your assets and inherent value! This project will develop valuable media skills and help people to live happy and fulfilling lives. It might also help, even just one person, to move from a feeling of lack to a sense of 'enough'.
Something to do with Bushcraft (!)
For a long time I have been intrigued by bushcraft and survival skills. They were one of my greatest interests when I was in the Cadets, and a driving motivation to join the Armed Forces. I am aware of the connection with, and reverence for nature that develops when one learns how she can nourish and care for us even in the most challenging environments. It's also really fun! So I want to do a project with something to do with bushcraft, although I'm not sure what yet!
Teaching
I want to teach permaculture! It is awesome and I want to spread the word and inspire people to make positive change in their lives! In order to become eligible to teach full Permaculture Design Course's, I must apprentice under other teachers. This project will involve developing lesson plans and gaining more teaching experience. I will also deliver a two day 'Introduction to Permaculture' course.
Local Economic Development
Eden
Permaculture Global Vision
Project List Development - Update 02/11/11
After some discussion with my Tutor, it became apparent that displaying some of the relationships between different projects may be of benefit. So I went back to the mindmap and drew some connections! I also took the opportunity to stack functions and experiment a little with the software. Here is the result:
Pretty funky, huh? I figured that the Integral Life Design would kind of affect everything, since it is going to be a fundamental design that will expand greatly on my Diploma Pathway. Certain things may act as "prototypes" for others, for example my Garden Design may be a good primer for designing Incredible Edible Appleton. I linked Lucid Dreaming to a few other projects, since lucid dreaming forms a creative arena well suited for problem solving and experimentation. Starting my own business will contribute towards my personal finances, and be symbiotic with local economic development since both will help the other. I figured that my Eden design would prototype for the Permaculture Global Vision, but then later realised that the Permaculture Principle of "Design from patterns to details" would suggest that I begin with the Global Vision before designing Eden.
All of these elements should help me to redesign my Diploma Pathway...
All of these elements should help me to redesign my Diploma Pathway...
Diploma Pathway
Finally, I tried to put the projects into some kind of chronological order. This is subject to evaluation and change (02/11/11 - I will redesign this at some point!)
Implementation
14/05/2012 Update:
The implementation of my pathway has been somewhat different from the plan. I designed the garden, which is still in the process of implementation. I haven't done an Incredible Edible Appleton design yet, and I think this may evolve into a wider Transition Town style project. I have been working on three projects simultaneously - the Integral Life Design, Business Plan/Design (which evolved into a website design), and Apprentice Teaching Pathway. I shifted the Teaching project ahead of the ebook since I had an opportunity to apprentice on a PDC, and decided to stack functions by preparing for that alongside developing my teaching pathway. This resulted in less work and a better prepared teaching session. The business plan evolved into a website design as I became increasingly aware of the potential to make some money online, and also the huge opportunity to develop my brand identity and awareness - that could later be capitalised upon when I am fully qualified to teach permaculture courses. The ebook will later be developed with functional interconnections with the website and teaching pathway.
The implementation of my pathway has been somewhat different from the plan. I designed the garden, which is still in the process of implementation. I haven't done an Incredible Edible Appleton design yet, and I think this may evolve into a wider Transition Town style project. I have been working on three projects simultaneously - the Integral Life Design, Business Plan/Design (which evolved into a website design), and Apprentice Teaching Pathway. I shifted the Teaching project ahead of the ebook since I had an opportunity to apprentice on a PDC, and decided to stack functions by preparing for that alongside developing my teaching pathway. This resulted in less work and a better prepared teaching session. The business plan evolved into a website design as I became increasingly aware of the potential to make some money online, and also the huge opportunity to develop my brand identity and awareness - that could later be capitalised upon when I am fully qualified to teach permaculture courses. The ebook will later be developed with functional interconnections with the website and teaching pathway.
Process Reflection - Action Learning Pathway
- Summarize how and why you organized this Project Output as presented (Reflect on your design, process, method and purpose):
I have presented my project output as a series of mind maps. These are the form in which I have been working and I like them as I can pick up easily at a later date. As soon as an idea comes into my head I can get it down onto the mind map, unlike a more textual format where I would have to write out coherent sentences and a sudden burst of ideas might be lost. Another consideration is that I don't enjoy reading through my written work, whereas mind maps are OK. They are also visual and easy to pick up a good bit of information. Some extra written notes might be useful for some elements, such as explaining what incredible edible is. At the moment, I am pressed for time and I am happy with the current format.
- How did this process go?
The process was interesting, at times challenging. Perhaps after the deadline I might find more enjoyment in the process.
- What did you learn?
I am becoming more aware when I am procrastinating, and developing my strength to get back to work.
- What tools did you use (An explanation of the technical side of creating this project report. What software did you use? What digital literacy was required to put this together)?
I used VUE to design the mind maps. As time was scarce, I have only used the very basic functionality which took no time at all to pick up. I look forward to becoming proficient with this package as it seems very powerful and useful.
- Did you find any people or tutorials particularly useful in creating this project report?
Myself(!)
- How much time did you spend in creating this project report?
Quite a lot. I haven't kept track but probably upwards of 20 hours, including work that hasn't been published online.
- How well have did you showcase your learnings in this project report? Would you consider this project report satisfactory if it was prepared by another person?
I might say that it is a bit bland and could use more explanation, but under the circumstances it is acceptable. I'm not sure how much I learnt, or whether I was just codifying that which I already knew (both of which have value).
- Any final reflections on your pathway integration and development?
It is exciting to be working on this process! The really awesome stuff starts now.
