What is Action Learning?
It´s the fundamental concept that determines how we teach.
It's the most direct way of learning to create a PermaCulture.
It's ...
... LIVING RADICALLY INTER-CONNECTED
The 'university of life', in the same way as the design cycle, and the learning cycle, can be said to have an ascending spiral shape - you have to actively do the work at each stage of the cycle in order to raise to the next level of learning, understanding and wisdom. (see module 1)
Native peoples (the only human cultures which approach a sustainable way of life, and all are - or were - ongoing experiments) are perfectly connected with their physical surroundings because they are cultures based on action learning, which is directly opposed to the disconnected emphasis which is characteristic of our education system.
Part of our logo represents the Auarita spiral, a motif which is fouind in the art of the La Palma (Canaries) aborigeni, and also of the aborigenies on the other hemisphere of the world - and represents, on one hand our respect for the populations and cultures native of our bioregion, and on the other, the connexion between all global sustainable cultures.
... IN ORDER TO CREATE A SOLAR ECONOMY
They were also based on "reaping only sunshine" (o solar energy, a key permaculture saying), in other words, the art of sustainability, or of 'using what you´ve got', within nature´s limits, working with a deep knowledge of their surroundings and local conditions, not fighting
against the laws of nature, but applying a commitment to studying them and living in gratitude and respect towards them, and towards the immense richness that they offer us (see module 4).
... IT'S ABOUT RE-LEARNING HOW TO PLAY
Action Learning is basically our natural way of learning and of relating to our surroundings - if children do it we call it 'playing'.
It involves a lot of fun and laughter, as well as very serious times, some painful times, some exciting times and also meditative & worrying times. and much experimentation.
It consists of keeping a clear interest focus (the centre of the spiral) and doing each one of the little steps needed to put into practice these ideals (the harmonious rainbow sequence of colours / rays), thus learning in a deep and 'for real' way (see module 2).
All are cyclical processes, and if we understand the natural patterns that govern these processes, and something of their periodicity, we can flow with them with more effectiveness.
In the case of the 
scientific process (one form of action learning), the sequence consists of: observation
> formulating an hypothesis > prediction > experiment > observation;
in the case of permaculture design, we say that it consists in: observation > thinking / reflection > design > implementation > observation;
in the case of action learning it consists of: doing project work > observing effects > reflecting how it fits with theory > designing next steps;
in the case of creativity in general, it consists of: discovering > dreaming > designing > delivering > discovering.
THE MODULES ARE SOME STEPS
A The 6 modules presented under Programa only propose to teach and accompany in one of the first cycles of PermaCulture learning: the 'black paw' which can be seen in the centre of the logo is to remind us that, the small steps needed to put the theory into practice and follow through with a true action learning process, have to be done by YOU.
But we will do everything possible to support you in your path, encouraging support groups and a continuous contact after the course with the other participants, as well as with the tutors.
The longer community residential is a way of supporting you more intensively: and you also support the others in the community to the same extent.
... & THE DIFFICULTIES ARE (only!?) THE BIGGEST STEPS
Perhaps the most difficult thing in action learning is re-learning 'doing' with our own hands, to think and act logically but at the same time honoring our feelings, excercising our imagination at the same time and without
pause; letting ourselves learn with all of our body, launching ourselves to the adventure trying totally new things. This feels very uncomfortable for the majority of us. And striving for comfort is perhaps the strongest - and most enslaving - of the patterns of the DestructoCulture. There are others.
you choose at each stage how much, when and what to work on, but you will always have the opportunity to overcome the biggest challeges with the support of the intimacy of your colleagues and journey companions.
The Practice (praxis)
Everything we teach during a Certificate course can be put into practice immediately in your own life, in whatever circumstances you find yourself (with or without access to land, with or without own house, with or without money or material resources, etc.). And it only works if it's put into practice. Therefore the practice consists in bringing what was learned on the course to reality in daily life.
During the course we do TWO design practices:
1) one on your personal project (this can simply be your home, or your family, or your employment ideas or the garden of a friend) and
2) one on a group project - normally of the farm or project where we do the course.
THE ACTION LEARNING PROGRAMME
It is possible to do the Certificate during a longer stay, in a living PermaCulture project, in the Canaries. A kind of 'express course' in the University of Life.
See Acción
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