Wild Pedagogies - (Palgrave Studies in Educational Futures) by Bob Jickling & Sean Blenkinsop & Nora Timmerman & Michael de Danann Sitka-Sage

Book Synopsis

This book explores why the concept of wild pedagogy is an essential aspect of education in these times; a re-negotiated education that acknowledges the necessity of listening to voices in a more than human world, and (re)learning how to dwell in a place. As the geological epoch inexorably shifts to the Anthropocene, the authors argue that learning to live in and engage with the world is increasingly crucial in such times of uncertainty. The editors and contributors examine what wild pedagogy can truly become, and how it can be relevant across disciplinary boundaries: offering six touchstones as working tools to help educators forge an onward path. This collaborative work will be of interest to students and scholars of wild pedagogies, alternative education and the Anthropocene, and for all those engaged in re-wilding education.

From the Back Cover

'This book leads an attack on the domestication of learning, the creeping formality, the structures and control, the standardizing, the separation of each of us from ourselves and our physical reality. This is a portrait of the physicality of children and the need to embrace this in education; the need to see education as humans in the world; the need to experiment with ideas and words that give meaning to our intuitions. An important argument. An important book.'--John Ralston Saul, essayist and novelist
This book explores why the concept of wild pedagogy is an essential aspect of education in these times; a re-negotiated education that acknowledges the necessity of listening to voices in a more than human world, and (re)learning how to dwell in a place. As the geological epoch inexorably shifts to the Anthropocene, the authors argue that learning to live in and engage with the world is increasingly crucial in such times of uncertainty. The editors and contributors examine what wild pedagogy can truly become, and how it can be relevant across disciplinary boundaries: offering six touchstones as working tools to help educators forge an onward path. This collaborative work will be of interest to students and scholars of wild pedagogies, alternative education and the Anthropocene, and for all those engaged in re-wilding education.

Bob Jickling is Professor Emeritus at Lakehead University, Canada.
Sean Blenkinsop is Professor at Simon Fraser University, Canada. Nora Timmerman is Lecturer at Northern Arizona University, USA. Michael De Danann Sitka-Sage (formerly Michael W. Derby) is Researcher at Simon Fraser University, Canada.

Review Quotes

"The collective behind Wild Pedagogies: Touchstones for Re-Negotiating Education and the Environment in the Anthropocene have produced a timely and valuable book which provides a much needed prompt for environmental educators to revisit their philosophies and focus." (Lewis Winks, Environmental Education Research, November 08, 2019)

"This book makes a valuable contribution to a growing body of literature calling for a change to established ways of teaching and learning. However, more importantly, the book explores the potential of outdoor learning in the Anthropocene and offers educators a useful framework to guide development. It is the latter that educators of change will find most useful." (David Irwin, Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, March 17, 2019)

"Wild Pedagogies opens with some introductory explanation of how the book came about, the history of the authoring collective and a general overview of the purpose of the work. ... Wild Pedagogies is accessible, well organised and provocative. ... this kind of educational writing is much welcome - we need more of it. and soon." (Giles Barrow, Pastoral Care in Education, February, 2019)​
"The book is organized into three conceptual discussion themes: On Wilderness, On the Anthropocene, and On Education. ... These three accounts of what I believe were wild pedagogies moments help to add some experiential flavor to my review of this new book, Wild Pedagogies, which draws attention to the importance of such moments and how we can understand them educationally. I commend the book to you. Happy reading and hoping!" (Bob Henderson, Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education, Vol. 21, 2018)

About the Author

Bob Jickling is Professor Emeritus at Lakehead University, Canada.

Sean Blenkinsop is Professor at Simon Fraser University, Canada. Nora Timmerman is Lecturer at Northern Arizona University, USA. Michael De Danann Sitka-Sage (formerly Michael W. Derby) is Researcher at Simon Fraser University, Canada.
The Crex Crex Collective includes: Hebrides, I., Independent Scholar; Ramsey Affifi, University of Edinburgh; Sean Blenkinsop, Simon Fraser University; Hans Gelter, Guide Natura & Luleå, University of Technology; Douglas Gilbert, Trees for Life; Joyce Gilbert, Trees for Life; Ruth Irwin, Independent Scholar; Aage Jensen, Nord University; Bob Jickling, Lakehead University; Polly Knowlton Cockett, University of Calgary; Marcus Morse, La Trobe University; Michael De Danann Sitka-Sage, Simon Fraser University; Stephen Sterling, University of Plymouth; Nora Timmerman, Northern Arizona University; and Andrea Welz, Sault College.