Transformative Learning: Reflections on 30 Years of Head, Heart, and Hands at Schumacher College

by Satish Kumar (Editor), Pavel Cenkl (Editor)

Education as if people and planet mattered In Transformative Learning , Satish Kumar reflects on the legacy of Schumacher College, a beacon of innovation that fosters an ecological-based, holistic model of higher education built around the college's unique "learn by doing," head, heart, and hands pedagogy. Over fifty current and former instructors and alumni, including Vandana Shiva, David Orr, Kate Raworth, Fritjof Capra, Bill McKibben, Mary Evelyn Tucker, and Jonathon Porritt, paint a rich picture of education for human well-being and the ecological health of the planet. Contributions delve deeply into the nature of transformational learning and holistic education, present a wealth of alumni experiences of working towards an ecological society, and detail the expansion of the Schumacher model to Belgium, Brazil, India, Japan, and beyond. The result is a rich tapestry of ideas and educational methods packed with insights and experience for practitioners and activists looking to build a just, ecological society.

280 pages, Paperback

Published May 4, 2021

About the author

Satish Kumar is an Indian, currently living in England, who has been a Jain monk and a nuclear disarmament advocate, and is the current editor of the magazine Resurgence, founder and Director of Programmes of the Schumacher College international centre for ecological studies and of The Small School. His most notable accomplishment is a "peace walk" with a companion to the capitals of four of the nuclear-armed countries-- Washington, London, Paris and Moscow-- a trip of over 8,000 miles. He insists that reverence for nature should be at the heart of every political and social debate. Defending criticism that his goals are unrealistic, he has said, "Look at what realists have done for us. They have led us to war and climate change, poverty on an unimaginable scale, and wholesale ecological destruction. Half of humanity goes to bed hungry because of all the realistic leaders in the world. I tell people who call me 'unrealistic' to show me what their realism has done. Realism is an outdated, overplayed and wholly exaggerated concept."

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, it took me six months to read this beautiful book full of essays from a diverse mix of brilliant people committed to ecological, holistic, regenerative, and transformative learning and experiences. I felt deeply connected to many of the ideas, beliefs, practices, and hopes of some of the writers. I was inspired by many--intimidated, also, but in the best of possible ways. Each author has a connection to Schumacher College, founded by Satish Kumar, so in some ways it is a walking advertisement for their "head, heart, hands" learning and transformative experiential space (but in a deeply genuine, authentic way, not in a traditional business model of capitalistic higher education way). Many essays challenged me to think differently; some brought me to tears. Some shook me up and provided space for deeper reflection about what I can do in this world. It took me six months to read because each little essay opened to new worlds and I found myself so overwhelmed with joy and energy and intrigue that I wanted to savor it for a long time (and well, because life has been busy). Excellent read!