COMPONENTS OF HOLISTIC LEARNING

By Dave Till and Christine Lines

This is the fifth article in our series on Holistic Learning, to read the introduction and view the other components to follow please click here.

5. Learning Contracts and Learning Sets

Learning contracts are self-created contracts with yourself to encourage definite learning goals. These can be helpful for both participants and leaders of a group. Dave explains, ‘Within the Findhorn Community Semester programme, we created learning contract sheets that encouraged students to look at all the areas of holistic learning and set themselves targets.’

This was introduced on the advice of the Human Potential Research unit at Surrey University. However, as Dave continues, ‘In practice, some FCS students really hated the linear thinking behind the process and just tore theirs up! This rebellion became a great learning for staff, and we happily let them rebel and then adapted accordingly. We let the students who didn’t want to fill in a linear chart choose some other way of creating a contract with themselves or even in some cases ignore the process altogether!’

Dave considers this valuable feedback and a key learning situation happened when students expressed their dismay and dissent. It’s also a great example of holistic learning at its best. When challenges are approached from a more holistic perspective, creative alternatives are often the result. [Read more…]