Building skills, building homes : community sustainability, straw bale construction, and indigenous perspectives
Date
2005-11-15
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
This narrative inquiry explores how the Building Skills, Building Homes Project, which was undertaken in Saskatchewan, Canada from April – November 2003, exemplified a learning strategy for self-sustainable community development through the straw bale construction of two buildings. Being self-sustainable involves searching for an interconnected way of living with our environment. Finding a strategy that connects what is ecologically sound, such as straw bale construction, with current modes of living, is a complex process that necessitates new kinds of community education relationships. A retrospective analysis of the author’s experience with the project and a conversational interview with one of the participants of the Building Skills, Building Homes Project will illustrate the adult learning that happens between learners working together on a joint project, which facilitates a growing awareness of what self-sustainable living entails.
The research question framing this study is: What links can community educators make using the Building Skills, Building Homes Project as an example of ecological community sustainability?
Description
Keywords
alternative energy, workplace learning, affordable housing, aboriginal education, work skills, ecology - indigenous, cultural development, sustainable development, community development, ecological education, environmental education, community education
Citation
Degree
Master of Continuing Education (M.C.Ed.)
Department
Educational Foundations
Program
Educational Foundations