distance learning Australian style....

[Annpan]

I have been looking for a while for a distance learning permaculture course and I think I have found one (or rather, several to choose from) but the are offered by an institution I have never heard of. ACS based in Australia http://www.acsedu.co.uk/Info/About-Us/A ... chool.aspx

Has anyone ever heard of them? They may well be like our OU, but I wouldn't know?

I have started getting very excited about the possibility of studying something I want to study... but, £1000 later I don't want to end up on a mickey mouse course or with a piece of paper no-one recognises.

Long term plan (in a few years)is to look at becoming a freelance permaculture consultant working with private individuals and small businesses.


The course I am looking at is a Diploma in Horticulture (Permaculture)

Any thoughts?

[MKG]

Yes, a few (as usual).

Have you really looked at the market? How do you know, for instance, that ANY piece of paper will make any difference in a field which is, after all, relatively new (especially one which will cost you £1000)?

Is permaculture such a developed subject that any diploma course could realistically be valid? I don't know - but it seems a bit doubtful from where I sit.

Apart from the fact that YOU like the permaculture idea, have you looked into how many other people (especially small businesses) in your area would also be interested? (That's assuming that you want stay where you are - we'll have to have a poll to see if the rest of us would like you to stay where you are ).

If you can say yes to all of those, then you obviously already know a lot about your subject - what's the piece of paper going to be for?

Mike

[southeast-isher]

Would be a fantastic subject to study AnnPan - best of luck with whatever you decide. I am going the self-teaching route as there's quite a few excellent DVDs, books, and magazines on the subject.

[Annpan]

Thanks guys....
MKG
A little,

Possibly, but it will assure me I have full knowledge of the subject too,

It has associations and orginisations which recognise the certificate but I see your point. I could be self taught, but personally, if I was going to set up a business I think it would be obvious that I didn't have rounded knowledge of the whole area. That said, because it is such a new practice (or rather, recently rediscovered practice) there will be continued learning even after the course is finished.

I'm close enough to the central belt (Glasgow and Edinburgh) to be able to take work from councils, farms and business all around central Scotland but what I would rather do is is set up a consultation service for smallholders, gardeners etc.... I think permaculture is definitely gaining recognition and most people I have spoken to about it are keen to find out more. There is also scope (once I hold this certificate) that I would be able to teach beginners course myself (on my own land?) and through allotment societies and transition towns.

A piece of paper is going to be something to show that I have some for of training, but it is more about knowing myself that I have some kind of full knowledge of the subject....



Thanks for the questions, made me analyse it more myself. I am still not convinced this is the route to go down but I am glad that I found a possible route anyway.

[Jessiebean]

I don't know of this institution specifically but I have had dealings with a few Australian Correspondence colleges and the course content was pretty poor and disorganised- the colleges were clearly more interested in makingmoney than providing quality education so if you did decide to go this path please ensure they offer a refund if you are not satisfied.
I used to work for the Social Security folk over here and was always butting head with the colleges over poorly administered courses which left those on student allowances not meeting their obligations.
I also studied a bit of naturopathy with a self proclaimed "reputable" college and ended up getting a refund!
Is there not anything closer to home through ummm I don't know what you would call them.. here we call them Polytechnic, on the Mainland it is TAFE, some places Tech... Technical college places?

[Jandra]

Annpan,

Great idea, though I cannot judge whether you would be able to start a business in this field.

Have you been able to find out anything about the ACS in the terms of reputation? Have you found websites from permaculturists who proudly advertise their degree from this distance learning school?

If not, the school should be able to provide you with references of students/graduates of this permaculture course.

Also I would try to find out whether the course material was developed by Australians. The last thing you want, is being completely knowledgeable on suitable Australian flora, but not being able to learn in-depth about Northern UK plants suitable for Permaculture. I tried to find books, but haven't purchased any, for fear that the Australian or American books would not really be useful for concrete guidelines. It is nice to be fully informed about the general principles, but personally I would want to be able to discuss my local conditions with a teacher who was familiar with them and could relate to them from personal experience.

Happy course hunting! I've got my bachelor's degree just a few years ago (I'm 40 now) in part-time education and I tremendously enjoyed going back to school. In fact, I'd love to go back to study part-time, but can't think of a good reason to spend the money...

Jandra

[Annpan]

I am awaiting a response form the UK permaculture association (who recognise the course) to see if it would be relevant in the UK.

Thank for your help Jessiebean, that's interesting, I will do more research before I hand over my cash.

Thanks for the support Jandra, personally I hated school, I hated college (twice) and I failed at all of them, on purpose.... I am reasonably intelligent and have a high IQ. I have never really been interested in gaining a qualification till now but I have got really excited about this (possibly because it is autonomous learning)

I am hoping I get some kind of positive response from the permaculture association,then I shall move on to the next level of researching the course/college.

[bonniethomas06]

Good luck AnnPan - I cannot comment on that particular collage, though I would second concerns that the course would refer to an unfamiliar set of flora.

I love distance learning - I am currently doing the RHS Advanced Certificate in Horticulture (with a view to doing the diploma/master).

It is nice to be able to study at your own pace, and is something constructive to do when it is dark outside. The only problem is, they have exams in June - immediately after the busiest gardening month of the year

[Wombat]

Hey Annpan!

You might want to try talking (corresponding) with April at Permaculture Visions. They have a pretty good rep with Permies here...

Nev