Concluding remarks
This has been an edge-pushing project. I have never seen a PDC marketed in this way. I wonder if it has to do with the lineage of the PDC and the 72-hour curriculum. Does Bill Mollison or Dave Holmgren advocate or even know about this technique? I think it is very applicable to the PDC and can create some great designers. My first run of it will be the beta version. It will need some revision to establish itself as a technique for teaching a PDC. Maybe it will take off, maybe it will get some criticism and not take off. Either way I will keep experimenting with it to create designers of the highest quality.
Process Reflection
Having begun this project several years ago it feels good to be able to take the time to develop it further. Putting it on hold until now worked out good for the progression of my Gaia University pathway. However, I had lost some momentum with it by putting it on hold for so long. Fortunately I had developed the exam questions already so I really only had to design the implementation of it. I’m really pushing my edge here as I’m going into a realm that has not really been attempted in my profession. It feels exciting, frustrating, and daunting all at the same time. I’ve questioned whether or not I should continue with the idea, but I know that the results can be great if I get students that are motivated. If I can convince other teachers of its benefits it would be great to get some other colleagues interested in redesigning the course with me.
Breaking down the text into bigger ideas has helped me look at it and permaculture in a new light that I had not realized before. It seems to have made it easier for me to make the integrative connections so necessary for quality permaculture design. Having this framework to work with has made it easier for me to communicate permaculture design.