In my original post-facilitation reflective piece ‘Processing the Process‘ I discussed the idea of effective planning allowing flexibility, which was my take away from my own facilitation experience. Planning had been an up-hill battle with our group, and there was a pivotal moment where we had to adapt from meeting at a certain bus stop after lunch to just making our way back to the green corridor. Combine that scenario with being in a foreign space. It meant that we each had to navigate our own group and as a facilitator rely on the planning, hoping we had done enough to know how to get to the correct destinations despite the change in circumstances. If we didn’t have a detailed plan could we have still adapted to change in the same manner? My thought at the time was no. However is there any evidence to back up my claim? Before getting to that I want to clarify why flexibility in leadership is important as it is after all the central focus of my reflection.
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So what’s the outcome out of all of this?
In my post ‘Restoration, Reclamation, Now what? I explored once more the concept of marrying urbanisation with nature. Specifically how crucial it is for me as an educator to understand how I connect to nature in urban spaces (and places in general) before expecting it of my own students. This focus was largely due to a desire to expand my understanding in reaching outcomes relating to connecting with the environment particularly in the urban space. A lot of this learning came from speaking with and listening to locals and guest speakers. However what I need to take into consideration is not only the individual bias of the person speaking but also the education boards stance on what the outcome of outdoor education should be.
A Place For Everybody
A shout out to Mr Jack Fin, whose poetry inspired me to have a crack at some poetry. I highly recommended) his post.
A Place For Everybody
While land and sea may divide,
And the gap in culture may be wide
I’ve found that I have learnt a thing or two,
From the Singaporean people who are much like me and you.
As humans we seek connections with one another,
With those who are not just our father, mother, sister or brother.
Restoration, Reclamation, Now what?
PART TWO: Part one can be found here.
In my original post, I commented on my own initial observations as to whether urbanisation can be married with nature. Even in the sphere of that singular blog post further questions arose and objectively speaking it is a rather complex and broad topic. Although I am someone who actively seeks solutions to the questions placed before me, realistically two weeks is not long enough to answer such a question. In fact from my perspective this is a topic that will continue generation after generation and the content of the discussion will change depending on the context, the beliefs of individuals and even the culture they are situated in.
Processing the Process
To quote (with a distinctive twist) Star Trek: Next Generation:
“Singapore: a new frontier. These are the voyages of the 4th year FedUni students. Their continuing mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new cultures, to boldly go where no one has gone before”
In many regards this phrase sums up part of my reflective perception on facilitating in a foreign country. Unlike trips that I have conducted in Australia where an aspect of the planning process is conducting a ‘recce’ (scouting out the location being visited) to the planned location, being able to get to know the route you are travelling, the possible challenges and obstacles that could be faced. Continue reading Processing the Process
Setting Sail
Metaphors can often illustrate beautiful simple truths (not always, but it’s possible). During our tour around OBS (Outward Bound Singapore) on Pulau Ubin, I could not help but notice a number of metaphors and inspiration quotes plastered on walls and fences. OBS as an organisation is very passionate about personal development, something that I share. While reflecting upon the meaning of a number of these metaphors one stood out to me above all the others, a quote next to an image of a sailing ship:
“A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what a ship is made for”
Supertree Sustainability InfoVid!
The Supertrees of Singapore truly are a mouthwatering sight. They are unique in appearance, sport a diverse range of flora, light up with incredible lights at night and put on a light show to a emotionally charged soundtrack. However what you may not know, is that they are completely sustainable!! This video provides an informative glimpse at what makes this attraction sustainable.
Restoration, reclamation, what does it cost?
It can be easy visiting a country for the first time and be swept up in the moment, exploring a place so foreign to our own and being swept away by the surrounding culture is a wondrous experience and as many will comment the place, people and culture are all beautiful. However of the many questions framing our experience one has rose prominently amidst the experiences that I have partaken in over these past two days and shaped my thinking: How can urbanization be married with nature in a harmonious relationship? And therefore allow the establishment of a connection between nature and the people who inhabit the area.
Continue reading Restoration, reclamation, what does it cost?