International University of Permaculture – Elevating High-Quality, Accessible Education Through CN World

Organization: International University of Permaculture

Website: http://www.gaia.org.ar/

Product Used: CN LMS Suite

User Size: 1000

About the International University of Permaculture

The International University of Permaculture, originally founded as the Argentine Permaculture Institute, is a branch of the Gaia Civil Association, a non-profit organization established in 1991. Its mission revolves around fostering sustainable societies by designing human settlements that adhere to the principles of permaculture. Permaculture is a holistic design system that seeks to create self-sufficient and sustainable human habitats by mimicking natural ecosystems. It integrates agriculture, architecture, renewable energy, water management, and waste reduction to develop ecologically balanced, and socially and economically beneficial systems.

The institution’s dedication to permaculture extends beyond teaching through traditional courses. Since 1996, it has offered a range of permaculture design courses, advanced courses, and workshops. Recognizing the importance of global collaboration, the International University of Permaculture is a founding member of the Global Ecovillage Network and Gaia Education. In response to growing demand and economic challenges in Argentina, the institution transitioned to offering online courses in 2019, allowing students from across Latin America to benefit from its expertise in sustainable design and development.

Partnership with CN Through CN World

This partnership between the International University of Permaculture and CourseNetworking (CN) was established through CN World, a nonprofit 501(C)(3) organization. CN World provides free educational technology software tools and services to public universities in developing nations, with sponsorship from CN. Given its financial constraint and commitment to advancing sustainable education, the University of Permaculture qualified for this offering and became a member institution of CN World. As a result, they can benefit from the free use of CN’s platform and services, enabling them to enhance their educational reach and improve student learning experiences without financial barriers.

Adopting the CN Platform

Adopting the CN Platform Amid the ongoing economic challenges in Argentina and the discontinuation of their previous LMS platform, the International University of Permaculture sought an alternative that would not only meet their academic needs but also foster collaboration among students scattered across different locations. That’s when they discovered the CN platform through CN World and found it to be superior to other LMS platforms due to several features that align with their educational goals. CN emerged as an ideal solution because of its unique combination of features. The International University of Permaculture adopted the following unique features to promote interaction and collaboration in the learning process.

  • Classic LMS: Outline learning contents and activities through the Task tool.
  • ePortfolio: Support students to showcase their permaculture designs, a critical aspect of the institution’s hands-on teaching methodology.
  • Network: Foster interaction between current and former students who are geographically dispersed, promoting collaboration and continuous learning.
  • Communication: Encourage internal communication through email and community building via robust posting features.

Tailored training sessions designed to meet the university’s specific needs were delivered in mid-September 2023. Shortly after, the curriculum team began course development and enrolled the first cohort of students by mid-October. The team also volunteered to review and enhance the Spanish translation of the CN platform. Although the institution initially experienced low participation, prompt adjustments to the assignment design significantly improved student engagement within the first year of the program’s launch.

I would say that the best practice to share is this support from the CN team, knowing that they always help solve whatever we ask or have doubts about. And the continuous improvements they make to the platform are also commendable.

Elisa Gassman

Impact and Outcomes

The implementation of CN platforms at the International University of Permaculture has created a profound impact on student learning and institutional processes. One of the most notable outcomes is the ability for students to showcase their permaculture designs through the platform’s ePortfolio feature. This has not only enhanced students’ ability to document and present their work but has also increased their pride in their accomplishments, providing a professional portfolio they can continue to use after graduation.

The networking and social interaction features of CN have been particularly impactful, especially for a geographically dispersed student body. By facilitating meaningful interactions and debates through the platform, the university has seen a substantial increase in student engagement. The implementation of mandatory discussion topics has led to deeper analytical conversations among students, allowing them to engage in thoughtful, real-time dialogues on course content and broader environmental issues. The platform also supports continuous learning by keeping alumni connected, allowing former students to share their post-graduation projects and challenges, and enriching the learning environment for all participants.

Additionally, CN’s platform has improved communication with students, allowing the university to organize online and in-person events through its event management tools. This has streamlined the process of inviting students to sessions and gatherings, creating more opportunities for real-time interaction. The ability to send emails within the platform has also enhanced the university’s ability to stay connected with its student body, keeping them updated on assignments and upcoming activities. According to Elisa Gassman, the curriculum and learning technology lead at the International University of Permaculture, “Students have expressed feeling more supported by both our team and their peers, which is highly valued since they are undergoing significant life changes alongside their education.”

Appreciating CN Support and Services

The International University of Permaculture has also benefited greatly from the support and services provided by CN World. As a nonprofit, CN World offers CN platforms and support free of charge. This support has been instrumental in ensuring that the transition to the new platform was smooth and cost-effective. Beyond just providing the LMS and ePortfolio tools, the dedicated customer support team at CN has been highly responsive and helpful, offering tailored advice on how to maximize the platform’s potential. “I would say that the best practice to share is this support from the CN team. Knowing that they always have an attitude to help solve whatever we ask or have doubts about. And the continuous improvements they make to the platform. The continuous platform improvements are also commendable”, quoted from Elisa. This has empowered the university to leverage CN’s features to enhance their courses and improve the quality of education they provide.

With CN’s ongoing assistance, the university has been able to train staff and students on how to fully utilize the platform, ensuring that the tools are effectively integrated into course delivery and management. The strong partnership between CN World and the university has been essential to fostering an interactive, supportive, and engaging learning environment for all students.

Conclusion

The partnership between the International University of Permaculture and CN World/CN has proven to be a transformative experience for both the university and its students. By integrating CN’s innovative platform, the university has enhanced its teaching methods, facilitated meaningful student interactions, and elevated the quality of its educational programs. The platform’s features, such as the ePortfolio and networking tools, have allowed students to document their learning journey, participate in enriching discussions, and remain connected even after completing their courses.

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