permaculture

[Toby Hemenway <toby@patternliteracy.com>]

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/
>
>
>
>   
>