We met at Nitobe memorial garden to start the day. Walking through the pleasant atmosphere of the Memorial Gardens was mesmerizing. Susan began with the tour for all of us, asking, ‘what makes something a garden’, and stating ‘we begin this journey as children’. Like an allegory for life the tour around the space you look the same nurturing sense of growth and understanding with which one could feel when first experiences the wonders of the world around them. The lush foliage let teardrops of light passed through dotting the ground with shade and piercing beams of light falling like raindrops on the gravel path. A bald eagle leapt forth from seemingly nowhere; breathtaking and beautiful our time was immediately inaugurated with amazement. Cool breeze and the soft shade kept us alleviated from much of the sun which we had been feeling the past couple days. Traveling through we noticed many treasures high and low which set our curiosity ablaze.
Physical structures that helped the group lean into the ideas and intention of the space were the mother and father statue. The mother statue sitting at the centre of the main loop in the garden is viewable from all points and reminiscent of the maternal caring watchful eye which still lets us wander and grow as we moved along there was a structure commemorating Inazo Nitobe. “Apostle of Goodwill Among Nations” titled a structure with Zodiac animals in chronological order surrounding the upper portion. As we continue circling around paths diverge offering easy and more difficult routes and although the hill to climb may present more of a challenge there are many more opportunities for wonder along the way (a waterfall, plants… everything around us was delicate and made the eyes hunger for more to observe). Moving towards the 11-plank "early marriage" bridge, we all had a giggle at the bridge's expense. Looking forwards as we moved to a beatiful swampy portion of the garden. We moved around the space, being led to the Tea House and Roji after having a dialogue on how we encapsulate spaces and what their purposes and learning opportunities can be. We looked around and analyzed the structures both constructed and grown, and then moved to the front of the garden to speak more.
After lunch, we relocated to the UBC greenhouse located next to Orchard Commons. The hot humid air was like walking through a steel wall, but immediately refreshing as the thick air and floating scent of greenery overtook my nostrils. Making our way towards the center of the greenhouse we gawked at the size and colour of ripe fruit, vibrant foliage, and soft textures of the plants. Taking plants that Madi had cultivated week(s) prior, we repotted some, moved others outside, and brought others to plant. There was a lovely cat in the greenhouse too, very soft, friendly, gentle (11/10 Kitty, would pat again).
Back to the garden we made haste, many Scallions and Beets in tow. Little living babies which we sought to nurture in the dark, rich, vitalizing soil. With some further weeding to make space in the beds, we managed to get most all of the healthy little fellers tucked into the dirt. With a sprinkling of carbon, we were all set to let the elements take hold.
Pretty sweet day I’d say!
Theory Incarnate:
What is a garden? What makes a space a garden? Plants. Intention. Use. Maybe I was just tired, but I am not sure if we settle on a concrete definition. What a garden for learning can be is any space you grow things and use them for learning. Whether a small planter box, or a lush food forest, the space is harnessed for a reciprocal relationship of benefit whether that be nourishment (the plants eating sunlight, water, minerals, and us parts of them) or growth (fundamentally physical, whether it be where neurons connect as synapses fire or physical change and growth).
What is overlooked in a space? I am not sure, I overlooked it. But we all see different things. Like a green space, learning environment’s nuances or glaring facts can be overlooked just the same. With melding and separate ideas, ideologies, and identities, we as educators need to understand that our idea of situation’s reality can never be a fully formed understanding. There is no such thing as objectivity, but coming to know better about a person, place, etc. – and adapting to that – is fundamental for improving our pedagogy. Leaning on others for this is great.
Fundamental for creating a garden for learning is knowing how to garden. Today was part of that (as will many others). What we can do with the space which we have is important, and so we planted our scallions and beets in the smaller plot which Sally cleared yesterday. Working as a team and gaining knowledge on the systems in play which govern our ability to grow is essential, today uncovered more of that knowledge baked into our beings.
Metaphor or not, one learns a lot.
Other Thinks:
One interesting thing that prodded at my eyeballs was the construction of the spaces around us. This is our garden plot and nitobe. I feel like in Technology Education (my teachable), much of the wonder of the materials we used can be torn from us. A table is just to write on or eat. A chair is for sitting. That fork you eat with and pencil you write with, well they are just tools. Stop asking questions, keep consuming the food, keep writing that essay. Produce, consume, repeat. Part of the breaking of chains (as it were) of the systems which bind us is wonder. To be inspired and curious, harnessing inspiration rather than influence, getting into the nitty gritty and loving every moment of it. That is what joy brings true. Understanding and being able to appreciate more of the world around us is essential for holistic practices of presence in a space (mental of physical). Being self-sufficient and understanding the massive amount of tiny factors which come together to form something as simple as an unassuming as a chair or pencil gives us context of what we are engaging with, the many reasons why we engage, and how.
Nitobe gardens reveals more of that to me, that wonder. Seeing how the tea house was constructed with stones pounded into the foundation and supporting beams cut to fit the rocks, fitting the structure to the environment, rather than the other way around; that was magic. Seeing the same trees which were used to construct the space, rooted deply living in the garden, breathing through their massive lungs and soaking in water through their veins stretching to the sky, all culminating in rich brown bark and beautiful leaves, flowers, fruit, and more. It was nice. It was very nice to feel like a child, eyes darting over new discoveries. And being flush with excitement of that is exciting.
Technology is not just computers, and I don’t think that a computer even is technology. Technology is what made that thing, a stacking of ideas and handed down information. A practice, a language, a way of using the tool, not the tool itself. Truly understanding how, really getting into a process and finding your path through it instead of knowledge being handed to you. Being able to teach others to see and using the knowledge of a countless number of people before me to do that. Like a tree who many years later bears fruit for future generations. Reaching into the past, and by doing so reaching into the future to spur inspiration and understanding in the present.
It’s essential for growth.
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