This week we think about sustainability and how we can learn about and adapt more sustainable learning practices within our own communities and those around the world.

Videos:

Please watch the following videos this week:

Warriors without Weapons in Santos Brazil (~6 minutes). See other videos from around the world on the Walk Out Walk On website.

http://vimeo.com/20956534

Two Loops, How Systems Change (~7 minutes). Learn more about the Berkana Institute here.

http://vimeo.com/17960381

Readings(s), Optional:

The following optional readings build upon this week's topic:

• What is Education For? by David Orr, Oberlin College (*Note: This short essay is a highly recommended read for framing the issue of sustainability.)
• Learning to Be... Sustainable edited by John Blewitt and Cedric Cullingford, pages 32-34 (offered for free on Google Books) within The Sustainability Curriculum: The Challenge for Higher Education
• Transformative Tools for Sustainability Education prepared by Julie Johnston and Peter Carter for the World Environmental Education Conference in Durban, South Africa in 2007
• Joi Ito's Near Perfect Explanation of the Next 100 Years by Christopher Mims, Technology Review (MIT)

Note: A big thanks goes out to Kamyar Houbakht for sharing many of the resources above, as this is an area I am quite new to. Kamayar is a wonderful educator and friend that never ceases to stretch my thinking. - Anna

Discussion Questions:

Please discuss the following questions below. Then throughout the week, try to respond to at least two other comments from your colleagues.

• What does sustainability mean to you?
• How have the education systems you've experienced prepared you to interact with the natural world?
• Do you agree with the messages in above video Two Loops: How Systems Change? Please explain your response.
• David Orr writes in his essay above, "If education is to be measure against the standard of sustainability, what can be done?" How would you answer this questions as it pertains to your community?
• How do you plan to bring more sustainable practices into your own teaching and learning?
• What other ideas or questions did you think about as you explored this week's topic?
• Please respond to at least 2 other comments from your colleagues this week.

Skype Discussion, Optional:

• The optional 1-hour Skype discussion this week will be:

  • July 1 (Sunday): 11:30am Eastern Standard Time ("New York" time).

  • To calculate what time this is in your time zone, Google "Time in New York". Then calculate the time difference between New York and your own time zone. For example, 11:30am EST is 7:30pm Dubai time.

• Please RSVP for this week's Skype call here. It is helpful if you RSVP at least 1 day in advance of the call.

• If you cannot make the optional Skype discussion time, you are welcome to organize and facilitate another group call with your colleagues.