It's constructive feedback -a space where questions get shape-shifted and we can get to those truths,...and its' because we ultimately care that engaging in this makes sense (oh yah, I am offering monetary exchange for higher ed. too!)
our seeing & feeling is in part what is asked of participants coming through Merry Lea programming -except that theirs' is a momentous more-on-the-sensory experience, whereas we (as students, not staff or public volunteers) are attempting to process our own learning & educational orientation in this context. In this searching & seeing, I am also questioning several things that you alluded to Jabin ( note: I appreciate your honesty, young grasshopper)
It's not that I am opposed to being exposed to what is the kind of programming being delivered here, having those first faces of youth really helped me personally (the transition of lessened human contact living on farmstead headquarters is part of my story) when we first started. But indeed, it feels quite excessive in time, lack of relevancy, and I only have a handful of months (after all, it's Nov. in 2 week!) Everybody else (those mastered M.A.s) seems to think I should be elsewhere along in my project.
How is this immersion experience of Merry Lea's k-12 programming really speaking to the broader scope of E.E. that we apparently have been engaging with in our classes (mostly thinking about Paul's) and the reality of both the work experiences we are bringing and our project development orientations?
I'd be interested in how we conceptualize the "learning" intended to formalize within a practicum (does the student exhibit different "needs"? Are we interested in accomodating such?
I am wondering what if any, were the other ideas conceived in developing the context of practicum from the onset/ the birth of this M.A. program. As Palmer defines conflict, "as the dynamic by which we test ideas in the open", how is the content of practicum revisited -the idea of practicum as is (being that we are the 3rd cohort). I ask principally, because it is solely focused on the delivery of nature-center E.E. and this is definitely not reflective of the broadening scope of E.E. that we have been trying to unravel in our classes and acknowledge the need for to connect with what is out there. (I think often of Cristine whom we met at the park near (?) Elkhart and her supervisor who expanded on interpretative education).
Connecting to undergrad Goshen students volunteering with the Bosque Encantado this past weekend was great learning for me on a couple of levels. First off, as this was Merry Lea's first attempt, it was all about the teachings that came with the organizing, the actual audience =children & adults that were present and the volunteers. I have more thoughts I am unraveling, but what struck me was how this is could potentially be a prime example of what next year's cohort could fulfill practicum requirement with the set guidelines (does it have to be strictly connected to Merry Lea Learning Center, as the sole institution that we (as students) work with?) Understanding programmatic logistics (outreach, coordinating, etc.) could have a hands-on taste with this as well as with other local communities perhaps yet not identified. All this to say, that I am concerned and holding a picture of a community of truth flaming during winter.
Great points Kati! I appreciate it! I have never really thought of Farmcraft as EE. Well, I never even really tried. And now that I am thinking about it, I am wondering if it even is (maybe I need to go and read some more about it). But I think it might be, depending on the age group that we are teaching and what we are able to expand upon during out time limits and restrictions. I think it is also because most of the kids come once. I think of our trip to the dunes. They had the program set up so that kids came back every year to expand upon what they had learned in year's past. I think this is great! But, we can't do that. It is not because we don't want to (I think), but because our education systems do not allow this.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kati for your wisdom. i am too, like everyone else, struggling with the balancing act of project and practicum and trying to stay afloat. i do think, in many ways, that I have personally moved backwards in thinking about my project- and that is frustrating to me!!!!! I am glad that we can all talk freely though......this is a very good thing (and creates community amongst us!)
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