We have the distinct pleasure of working with a very talented group of students over the next 2 years, mentoring them through their Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design.  Richard has developed a digital pathway with deeper connectivity and broader levels of structure and support to respond to the weaknesses and constraints from his experiences with the Diploma, along with feedback from old and new students over the past few years.
Gathering for a 4 day induction, divided between an NVC training offering the group a common language, and 2 days thoroughly exploring/ co- designing the adapted pathway as well as digital induction led to a great sense of connection and motivation.  We designed in more structure, 5 week cycles of contact with me as a Tutor, exchanging Peer Reviews for each Project Report and functional/ regional guilds for additional support.  This was borne from existing students feedback of lack of useful support/ lack of motivation when feeling isolated and removed from others in the same "boat".  This also responds to the general lack of structure in the Diploma pathway that has led so many students to quit the course after feeling isolated/ unsupported.  Whilst it has always been a self led/ motivated course, we have seen how much more functional we could design a community- supported pathway with the additional elements we have added in.

Most of the group have completed a PDC with me, where we specifically focus on holistically integrating all pieces of the "Permaculture Pie".  The resulting strong bonds formed have led to a dynamic, creative and deeply supportive group who catalyse each other through the support network we have built.  We have a closed forum which allows Peers to fully support each others learning needs, and the feedback from existing students marks a distinct departure from their previous experiences.   The level of support and encouragement offered between the group has been inspirational and touching, and good feedback for us that we are doing the right thing.

We have mapped out the entire course deadlines, peer reviews, etc.  Online guidance notes are available to all the students and the regular "formal" connection and cross pollination between the group is already leading to fantastic feedback and a deep sense of progress in creating deeply meaningful, well designed and fulfilling Learning Pathways.  The regular feedback inspires continual development of design skills, ultimately expressing itself as second nature thinking, and offers constant feedback loops for students to remain engaged, motivated and alert of opportunities to design, evaluate and (un)learn limiting patterns of thinking/ behavior.  More and more we see how vital the holistic worldview is behind all forms of regenerative design, and so many examples of PC are let down by overlooking people, finances, plat, etc.  By continually encouraging reflection and modification of their pathways to consider all "edges" of growth students will no doubt develop the capacity to seamlessly integrate holistic goals into their design work.

Students in this group are required to present all their portfolio online, partly as Richard will be travelling during their work together, and partly to stack functions; allowing students to easily self regulate their work by observing others, making resources readily available to others, bringing PC into modern "mainstream" thinking, creating/ developing professional portfolios as well as streamlining the process in a way useful and appropriate to the times.  After a few hours rapid run through of basic website design, conference calling, visual graphics work and video/ uploading, even self declared "technophobes" have gone on to produce very high quality work- intitial Pathway setting and reflection can be seen at a few of the students sites below.

Students are invited to deepen their level of commitment to high quality outputting in return for deeper support with the goal of producing a very high group standard of Diploma portfolios that functions mostly by self supporting, cross pollinating, co- motivating, project sharing as well as exemplifies the benefits and appropriate use of digital presentation and other best practices for the development of the Diploma pathway.

So we are 10 weeks in and the first Project Reports from the group of 16 students have come in perfectly on the date agreed.  In general Im very impressed - generally AWESOME, a little tweaking and we are set to be rocking out in high standards.  What a pleasure and privilege- thanks to all involved!  You can follow links to the beginnings of these students Online Portfolios by clicking on their image.

Peter Hill

Bethany J. Warren

Toby Rainland