Transformative Learning Gardens
A transformative learning garden is a garden built in the real world and is a place that serves as a center of gravity that attracts diversity, holism, transdisciplinarity, and campus collaborative creativity through use of gardening in an immersive space. As a metaphor, the garden teaches us how seeds of vegetables, flowers, and of wisdom in the form of ideas share in the same patterns of growth.
We believe in Intentional Learning Spaces in the form of a garden to help students learn from nature how life works, grows, and propagates. As a metaphor, the garden teaches us how seeds of vegetables, flowers, and of wisdom in the form of ideas share in the same patterns of growth
A Transformative Learning Garden is an immersive Learning Space for the Applied Humanities and Sciences and implements a "Learn by Doing" philosophy.
Relevance to Academic Success
-
Intentionalize the garden space to bring out the Love of Learning.
-
Integrate learning into students' major field of study.
-
Creating campus-focused Community-Based Learning as a campus community.
-
Holistic education creates inner motivation and inspiration to add and enhance students' major fields of study as undergraduate and graduate students.
-
Build a broad-based campus social network.
How Does It Work?
The Transformative Learning garden is comprised of 5 dimensions that work as one to become a dynamic, integrated system that fosters holistic learning, innovation, and community engagement. It functions as a living laboratory, a hub for interdisciplinary research, and a space for collaborative action, promoting a deep connection to nature, sustainable practices, and social well-being. This integral approach creates a fertile ground for "transdisciplinary transformative change".
The 5 Dimensions
1. The Communal Kitchen
Culinary Arts & Nutrition. To develop practical cooking skills, explore different culinary traditions, and learn about the nutritional value of fresh, locally grown food. The sharing of meals by the same people who grew and harvested the food that are in the meals.
2. The Garden: "The Garden as the Teacher"
This approach allows students and community members to engage directly with the garden environment, learning through observation, experimentation, and hands-on activities. Ecological Literacy & Psychology. The garden fosters a deeper understanding of ecological principles and the interconnectedness of living systems.
Learning Approaches
-
The Garden as the Teacher: Fosters experiential learning by allowing students to directly engage with the natural environment and learn from observing its processes.
-
Ecological Literacy: Develops understanding of ecological principles and their application in sustainable practices.
-
Ecological Psychology: Explores the psychological connections between humans and nature, fostering a sense of place and well-being.
-
Immersive Learning & Experiential Learning ("Learn by Doing"): Students actively participate in all aspects of the garden, from planning and planting to harvesting and composting, gaining hands-on knowledge and skills.
The Transformative Learning Garden, inspired by Ollin, is a dynamic, living ecosystem and learning laboratory. It is where humans and nature engage in a continuous cycle of co-creation, reflection, and growth. It is a space where knowledge, sustainable living, and artistic expression are inseparable
3. The Library
A physical space that curates books on the horticultural arts & sciences, a digital archive, and a seed library. The library acts as the central intelligence hub, collecting and providing access to information resources supporting the garden's diverse activities. It extends beyond traditional books to include digital resources, interactive tools, and curated materials related to botany, ecological design, historical garden practices, and artistic interpretations of nature. It also functions as a space for workshops, research, and community discussions, facilitating knowledge sharing and fostering information literacy. An important component of the library is the inclusion of a seed library, where students can check out horticultural seeds to use in the garden spaces they cultivate.
4. The Theater
A theater that hosts film festivals, an annual seed exchange, music, poetry, and theatrical performance. The Theater is an intentional learning space for the applied humanities and learning from story through conscious cinema.
5. The Ollin: The concept of "Ollin," as the fifth dimension in the transformative garden
Unites the other four dimensions by representing constant movement, change, and transformation
The coming together of these five dimensions can lead to exciting new areas of study and practice:
The five dimensions of the transformative learning garden—The Communal Kitchen, The Library, The Garden, The Theater and The Ollin are Ecological Attractors and are not isolated silos but rather intricately interconnected and mutually reinforcing. Their overlaps and synergies create the potential for producing innovative and integral forms of learning, research, and community engagement.
The collection of all five dimensions working as one: an integral system
Where to Implement: Educational Institutions & Community Learning Spaces
-
High Schools: Gardens can integrate across curriculum areas, providing hands-on learning in science, math, and social studies, as well as fostering teamwork and problem-solving skills.
-
Colleges & Universities: Gardens can be living laboratories for research, teaching, and community engagement, promoting sustainability and addressing real-world challenges like food insecurity.
-
Community Learning Spaces: Gardens can serve as accessible educational resources, offering workshops, events, and opportunities for lifelong learning and community building.
By intentionally designing learning experiences that utilize these dimensions independently, in combination, and holistically, the Transformative Garden can become a powerful force for transdisciplinary education, fostering a deeper connection to nature, promoting sustainability, and nurturing a more engaged and empowered learner.
Want to learn more about our Transformative Learning Gardens? Looking for help in designing your garden space?
Get in touch by filling out the contact form below!