4/24/07 Readings...

Garden Mosaics: Neighborhood Exploration, Gardener Story, & Action Project in South Africa


I liked this article very much because of the level of detail that was obviously put into planning these activities. It also gave me a clearer understanding of Garden Mosaics. Students got a hands-on experience and had the oppportunity to discover/explore their neighborhoods.
The article addressed how Garden Mosaics can be used as a tool to connect youths with elder gardeners to learn about the connections between science, people, culture, and
plants. It also stated that this is a way of improving neighborhoods. It was especially interesting to learn that in South Africa, community gardens often were located on
school grounds because this provided security, water, and land.
Cornell Students implemented three programs there: Neighborhood Exploration, Gardener’s Story and an Action Project.
The Neighborhood Exploration created an opportunity for students to see the way the land was used in their community. It allowed the learners to create physical images and then see if there were features missing or common within their community. It also allowed students to find places in their neighborhood where they could obtain fresh food, learn new things, play soccer or netball, and talk with friends. Students were prompted to take photos and collect symbolic items from each place.
The final process for the students was to place the symbols on their maps and create a key.

Gardener’s Story
Participants developed an oral history and took photographs illustrating a gardener's planting practices and “planting tips,” and the connections between those practices and the gardener’s culture. I was struck by what an incomparable educational resource/opportunity the Gardener’s Story could be for students hearing it and visitors reading it.
The Gardener Story is another great way for the learners to discover their community, this time through the eyes of elder gardeners. It provides an opportunity for learners to connect with elders and important community members.


Action Project
Youth applied what they learnt during their earlier investigations and conducted an Action Project to benefit the gardeners and their community. I felt this part was the most worthwhile for the students because now this is their chance to give back to their neighborhood.

Digital Era: No Educator left Behind!

This poster was very helpful especially in terms of my research project. I was impressed with the study and also the results. The study sought to answer two questions:
1) How do urban educators’ computer access skills, and attitudes, influence their implementation of EE programs?
2) How do NYC community educators use the Garden Mosiacs digital resources?

The researchers interviewed 8 community educators from different NYC community organizations and after-school programs.

They found that educators attitudes towards digital technologies may limit the use of computers in EE programs. Also, computer access and skills were not found to be limiting factors.
Most educators did not use the Garden Mosaics digital resources because they were unaware of its purpose or did not have time.
In conclusion, the study found that Urban educators need to do a better job illustrating to educators how useful digital technology can be.

I thought this was a neat study overall and that anything that can help the movement is good.