Matu Collins wrote:I think I'm leaning toward observe (and interact) for sure but haven't narrowed it down yet.
I put the interact in parentheses because I feel like there should be a good bit of observe before any heavy duty interaction comes along
Right now, I'm teaching my first ever
PDC (tiny - 4 students - which is perfect). After the introductory
class, we got right into elements and functions because it basically teaches you how to observe - the key skill we as permies need to acquire! Students in my class start out with three potential properties they want to design - I had them list out three examples of each of the three permaculture elements - plants, animals, structures - for each site and bring them to class. (
Geoff Lawton defines elements in this way - forget if it is the same way Bill does). We then spent a bit of time with one example finding the connections between the elements and how the elements functioned together. As an instructor, I got to see a lot of "AHA!" moments happening. The students were REALLY enthusiastic about this exercise (which is cool, because it leads to another fun game too - "random matching of elements" to get them to think outside the box).
We also studied "obtain a yield" in that same lesson and we learned about different types of yields (product and
energy), how they could be used in our nascent system, where we might have an overabundant yield (pollution), etc. People were engrossed with this exercise. The general consensus was that people had never thought of their environment in this way before and it was exciting to them. We also applied this same model to social systems because we are in an urban environment. That was also interesting.
Matu Collins wrote:Do you feel like some of the principles are more important in early understanding of permaculture than others? "Obtain a yield" is a favorite for me because it puts the onus on me to be sure there is a point to the work we are doing. Edge is an important concept...it's hard to decide which ones but I'm feeling sure that I do want to keep it simple and focused on just a few principles.
The way I have my version of the
PDC set up - "Obtain a yield" is the bridge between "elements/functions" and learning about zones and sectors. This is because a "yield" (defined as a product or energy that is used or deflected) could come from a zone (product) or a sector (energy like water, wind, sun). So once students know about elements/functions we then talk about "work" and how to make systems that do most of the work for you by careful placement of elements in correct zones or to take advantage of a certain sector, to enhance function and increase the yield.
So we keep building, one upon the other. And we constantly circle back through these too. For me, edge falls after sectors/zones and we will learn about that next. The students already got a taste of this as we observed nature filling in niches with pioneer weeds at the edges of paths, along
fence lines, etc.
Basically this stuff can be taught in a lot of different ways (which is what's so great about permaculture) - this is the way I choose to teach it (this time) - we'll see how it goes!
Keep us posted on how you go about this - it would be interesting to get the student's feedback (bet they LOVE it).
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The chickens just started laying more yesterday and today a pile of wwoof inquiries and applications! I am so looking forward to this season.
