[permaculture] mis-sent/PDC integrity
Toby Hemenway
toby at patternliteracy.com
Wed Oct 10 20:28:09 EDT 2007
The policy I was taught, and adhere to, is that if circumstances (more
than a hangover or oversleeping) force someone to miss one module (1-3
hours of class), we can work out some kind of make-up study. Some
modules are very hard to make up, so missing any of it means a fair
chunk of knowledge is missing. If someone misses much more than one
module, they need to repeat that portion of the course at a later date.
I have withheld certificates for skipping multiple classes and for
failing to complete the portion of the design project that the person
was responsible for. I try to be flexible since I know that life does
intervene sometimes, but a PDC makes few demands on participants other
than to show up, and do the design project. So if someone can't manage
to make that commitment, I don't think they can be too serious about
permaculture. Seems to me that Pc has few enough standards, so it makes
sense to adhere to the few we've got.
Toby
http://patternliteracy.com
L. Santoyo Designs wrote:
> Sean, Claudia et al -
>
> I think that everyone is in agreement about wanting to preserve the
> integrity of a Permaculture Design Certificate Course. (Of course -a
> person that misses classes, design work, etc -wouldn't be eligible
> for a certificate of completion -why would they?)
>
>
>>> "Teachers in the region had their own agendas and their own courses
>>> competing for students..."
>>>
>>> "Did people skip days and still get a certificate? "
>>>
>>> "...I see this as a flaw in the modular format."
>>>
>
> These additional questions, comments and concerns -work to support
> the need for continuing training, constant contact with a qualified
> mentor and support the 2 year apprenticeship requirements that are
> invaluable for maintaining the highest standards and in creating
> highly experienced Instructors and Designers -everywhere.
>
> As a small example: The first modular courses were taught over 15
> years ago! -lot's of the issues raised now are the same issues that,
> since these first courses, have been addressed and solved in many,
> many creative ways... (finding that out, in advance, is what a Mentor
> is for!)
>
> I'm not against reinventing the wheel -but at least the wheel is a
> good point of departure...
>
> Larry Santoyo
> http://www.earthflow.com/
>
>
>
>
>
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