Lesson Structure:   Permaculture 4, VSS107

There are 10 lessons:

1. Overview of Permaculture
   • Definition of Permaculture, understanding plant names, environmentally safe pesticides, zones, sectors and cycles in Permaculture design
2. Buildings and Permaculture: The alternatives
   • Indoor/outdoor buildings, storage facilities, building materials
3. Buildings and Permaculture : Integration into the Environment
   • Essential elements for houses in different zones, energy conservation, alternative energy sources
4. Waste Disposal
   • Liquid waste, grey water, blackwater, waste disposal and recycling, nitrogen in waste
5. Recycling
   • Composting, waste water recycling, conservation and recycling, council recycling
6. Designing for Natural Disasters
   • Fire, flood, cyclone, tsunami, biotecture
7. Natural Watering
   • Water efficient gardens, mosquitoes, windmills
8. Indigenous Plants and Animals
   • Wildlife management, birds in the garden, suitable native plants
9. Preparing Management and Development Plans
   • Planning and managing a garden, Permaculture design, work schedules
10. Major Design Project
    • A in depth design project for both your own residence and another property

Learning Goals:  Permaculture 4, VSS107

• Develop knowledge of the alternative materials and features available for buildings in permaculture systems.
• Understand the role of buildings in the permaculture environment.
• Develop knowledge of the range and function of waste disposal methods suitable for permaculture systems.
• Understand the role of recycling in modern society.
• Develop knowledge of how to design for natural disasters.
• Develop knowledge of water efficient irrigation techniques.
• Understand the role of indigenous plants and animals in permaculture systems.
• Develop skills in preparing management and development plans.
• Perform a major design project.

Practicals:  Permaculture 4, VSS107

• Go to nurseries and agricultural supply companies and inquire about environmentally safe pesticides. Write a report on these products.
• Explain the methods available to someone who wishes to control pests, diseases and weeds without using potentially dangerous chemicals.
• Observe the construction process of a building or structure that involves some type of earthworks (eg, roads, dams, etc).
• Briefly write a short report on mud brick dwellings. What are the benefits of this in of structure? What are the disadvantages?
• Take a photograph of your home or residence. Discuss your residence in relation to designing with consideration to the environment (eg. does it efficiently utilize sun and shade, is it energy efficient).
• Describe the importance of house design in relation to location, eg. tropical region of Queensland or west coast of Tasmania.
• Contact the local council or health department and inquire about allowable use of waste material in your area. Consider asking about grey water, septic tanks, use of effluent and animal wastes, etc. Write a report to 250 words on the task.
• Contact and obtain information on composting toilets from a manufacturer. Compile this information and use it as a personal reference.
• Contact the local council or health department and inquire about recycling methods available for residents of your shire. How has the council encouraged recycling?
• Find a home site (which has an existing home on it, or is planned to be built on), which is prone to natural disaster. This might, for instance, be in a flood or fire prone area; or perhaps a tropical climate that is prone to cyclonic storms.
• Consider what measures can be taken in the permaculture development of this property, to deal with the likelihood of a disaster at some future date.
• Contact a supplier of windmills and find out all that you can about the use of these devices for supplying water (ie. pumping from a river, lake, dam, ground water etc).
• Discover the alternatives available, the costs involved, the applications, operation etc.
• Contact the National Parks and Wildlife department and obtain as much information as possible on wildlife corridors, conservation, etc. Contact your local council department and inquire about their wildlife corridors, etc. Are they similar or drastically different?
• Can you think of a reason why there may be a difference?
• For a month period, write down all tasks performed by yourself and anyone who enters your permaculture garden. Submit this work schedule plus a brief report on how it may be possible to improve the time efficiency in the garden.
• Write a report on where you think ‘alternative’ permaculture is heading in terms of main-stream acceptance.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.

Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.

Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.

Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.

Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.

Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.

Enrolment

Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.

Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.

Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.

Assessment

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.

Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.

Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.

Qualifications

Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?

A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.

Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.

Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.