Sustainable Building Day 2

Bohio day 2

beams

2/3/09

This morning was dedicated to meeting with our focus group instructor, and working on our final project. My area is reneable energy, and my focus project is to reserch, consult with client, and instale a small solar energy system for a structure that is being constructed on the campus(farm). I wont go into great length about that in this blog, as I and my peer Ben Ruckker have set up a blog just reserved for the renewable energy project. Check it out, http://solarvisfi.blogspot.com/

Allright well, after lunch we got out to the Bohio site and started to place the beams ontop of the poles.

everybody got instruction on how to use a skill saw, and a carpenters square. It was great to see all those who didnt know how to us these tools jump in and learn how to do it. Dez a fellow student, was startled by the power of the skill saw. It was pretty funny to see her jump up, and start laughing at herself.

Basically we got all the beams up and the construction site is looking like stone hedge. Hahah seriously.

After each day of constructing, we stand around in the circle, and talk about how the progress went, what we are greatful for, what could be done better or more effiently, and we have these shout outs, where a word is shouted by everone all at once.

this reflecting after a work session is part of a designed tool for learning, titled Action learning!

Action learning

Definition: is an educational process whereby the participant studies their own actions and experience in order to improve performance. This is done in conjunction with others, in small groups called action learning sets. It is proposed as particularly suitable for adults, as it enables each person to reflect on and review the action they have taken and the learning points arising. This should then guide future action and improve performance

There are three steps involved with action learning,

1. Plan it - this step involves getting together with those who are involved and to brainstorm a plan of where the project is starting at, what the end goal is, and what are teh steps to get from begining to the end. A great way of doing this , especially if you are working in third world countries where there the literacy rate is lower, is to draw a road. The road has a begining where you draw your project as it is, at the end you draw what you want it to look like when you are done, and the middle is filled with drawings that show progression, the "doing"
2. Do it - this is simple just do what you planned.
3. Reflect - After completion of project or certain point of project, gather around again, and discuss how it went. What could have done to better the project? What steps were essential, what were not so essential? How did everyone enjoy it? Did any one have any difficulties?

This Action learning i am discovering, is a great way of getting projects up and going, and completed, and there is a progressing understanding/education/research that is being fullfilled.

OHH YEAH the Monkey pistol decided to expload its seeds. It just so happend when every one was sitting at the table, and keith turned the music down to get every ones attention for an anouncement. Then BOOM it blew and shot its seed every where. Hahah we all were silent for about 3 seconds then all of yelled in excitement. How amazing, Kieth really was tuned into the universe. Perfect time. It actually reminds me of the time i was camping with friends and at night aroundthe camp fire i told everybody to look up at the beautifull milky way spread vastly across the, just as everyone peered up the hugest shooting star shot right across the length of the milky way.

Perfect universal timing! I LOVE IT !!!