Druids Workshop - Celtic Training Methodology |
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The Druid’s Workshop Training Methodology.
Training is by no means a modern concept. Traditionally, Celtic Paganism and particularly Druidic training was done orally and therefore created a unique bond between teacher and learner. Nowadays, the teacher/learner relationship has changed significantly and in order to respond to the new challenges of global learning, the old established relationships between master and student have had to be revisited and new techniques developed. In the relatively short time since the inception of on-line training, a wide range of training philosophies have been proposed, but as yet, no single methodology has achieved global acceptance and it may well prove impossible to arrive at a single solution to such a complex problem. For us then, it is not just a matter of duplicating our residential Learning Programmes and distributing them on-line. Over the past three years, the Druid’s Workshop have been working with a team of Educationalists, life-long Celtic Pagan practitioners (including experienced Druidic Priests), Information Technology Consultants and Professional Curriculum Development Authors, in an effort to address the particular problems of teaching Celtic Paganism and Druidic Practises via on-line Distance Learning Programmes.` We have been fortunate in being able to draw upon the wealth of experience of the individuals involved in the development team and in having been able to dedicate sufficient time to explore all the options and techniques available for on-line facilitation. Consequently, we have been able to focus on the two main difficulties inherent in this area of training. The keystones of our learner programmes are: Simple, Unambiguous Language All our programmes are presented in simple, easily understood language. This is much more difficult than it may first appear. Much of what is understood to be the main body of knowledge related to Celtic Paganism and Druidic Practise has been past down to us not only in the minority languages of the Celtic Nations, such as Welsh, Gaelic, Breton, etc, which of course still exist in their native lands, but also in the ancient forms of those languages, all of which are now out of common usage. You will find that many other training providers lean very heavily upon the inclusion of Celtic Language phrases, particularly in relation to rituals and general liturgy, the main purpose being to introduce an extra air of mystery and mysticism. This is all very well as long as it is not at the cost of true understanding. The Druid’s Workshop Learner Programmes cut through this barrier by explaining everything in simple English, giving easily understood, step by step instruction along the way to avoid any misunderstanding or confusion. Only by achieving true understanding will the learner progress to become practitioner. Easily Understood Directions Again it is imperative that you, the learner, actually understand the directions that you are provided with. There is no point in clouding your understanding by the inclusion of unnecessary jargon or overly-complicated routines. Modular Learning Progression This sounds complicated and we could well be accused of using the very jargon that we have just criticised. But, in simple terms it means that we have split-up the sometimes lengthy programmes into small, easily understood “packages” called modules. Each module includes all the necessary courseware needed to understand the topic it covers. When you, the learner, feels that you are ready, you apply for an assessment of your learning for that module, and when both you and your mentor feel that you have achieved the necessary level of understanding for that module, you are awarded an accreditation. You are then supplied with the next module and so on until the Learning Programme is completed. When you have completed all the modules in the Learning Programme you have selected you are awarded a Graduation Certificate which lists all the modules you have completed as well as identifying the main subject of the qualification. Detailed Learner Courseware Courseware is a phrase used to describe all the necessary notes, illustrations, instructions, reading materials, etc that are necessary to undertake the learner programme. All our Learner Courseware has been especially developed and written by our development team and validated by The Irish Centre for Druidic Practises. Practical Learner Assignments There is no substitute for hands-on experience, particularly when learning what is by definition a very practical, hands-on art. Celtic Paganism and Druidic Practises both express their belief system through practical activity. Skills such as divination, plant lore, Purification rituals, etc, all revolve around practical activities that must be practised repeatedly before you become proficient. All our Learner Programmes include detailed instructions and illustrations to help you understand the practical, spiritual and philosophical aspects of the assignments you undertake. Unlimited On-line Mentoring The Druid’s Workshop provides all our learners with unlimited on-line mentoring to assist in your learning and help with any queries you may have. We provide an e-mail mentoring service with a guaranteed response time. Continual Learner Assessment Little is achieved by assessing Learners only at the completion of their programme. By then the learning is complete and not much may be done in order to add to or alter the learning experience as a whole. By using a method called Continuous Learner Assessment we are able to assess the learner’s ability and progress as you learn. This allows us to change and adapt you programme to best suit your needs and, used along with our Modular Progression system it means that we can vastly improve our learner success rate and make sure that you are provided with the right sort of information, guidance and support just when you need it. Each of these keystones represents the latest and most appropriate developments in on-line learning. Individually, they provide the learner with the opportunity to get the best out of their learning experience. When brought together they represent a unique opportunity for you, the learner, to participate in an unrivalled learning programme that embraces the very latest developments in on-line learning. |
