Taking the PDC brought me back to an old train of thought I have had to put to bed way too many times: What is it about the university education system that is so removed from reality? And if its so broken why am I still there? These are questions every student has had from one time to another and some choose to leave it all behind. Others take the bad with the good and push on. Having completed my fourth year of school and with one still to go, I still question the classroom setting as the best choice of my time.
The PDC at Linnaea, like most field schools, offered a hands–on learning experience unparalleled with other classes. We put the classroom knowledge from spring semester into practice by identifying plants, helping weed rows, and observing system designs. This was a great step up from watching slides go by on a projector screen, but it also motivated us to put our knowledge into practice in our own lives. I think every one of us was inspired by the creativity we experienced on Cortez. And whether we are already putting our knowledge into use or we are still feeling overwhelmed by the responsibilities of being back, I imagine each one of us will find some creative outlet for what we have learned.
It wasn’t just the hands on aspect that made this course so special. This blog assignment is a great way for the knowledge and energy students put into their work to be shared with one another and the broader world around us. Our final research projects as well, will be shared with one another for the benefit of the whole class as we move into the future and find ourself interested in each others topics.
In conclusion, University is not all bad. This class after all was run through UVic. And many profs are taking huge efforts to give students a different kind of learning experience. I do admit though I am excited for being done the trials and tribulations of undergrad and moving into work where the efforts of my projects come to fruition with more than just a letter grade.
UVic Permaculture 