As educational technology specialists with a passion for green solutions, our journey to Maribor, Slovenia, was a transformative experience. There, we had the privilege of meeting the remarkable academician Ana Vovk Korz, whose visionary work is not only creating sustainable ecosystems but also reshaping the way we educate and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. In the heart of Slovenia, we witnessed the harmonious fusion of permaculture practices and cutting-edge technology—a synergy that holds the promise of a greener, more sustainable world.
Ana Vovk Korz, a beacon of hope in the field of permaculture, has dedicated her life to implementing self-sufficiency principles and fostering permaculture activities. Her commitment to these practices is not only a way of life but a testament to the power of education. We had the privilege of immersing ourselves in her work, a breathtaking blend of agriculture, ecology, and human-centred design.
At the heart of Ana’s accomplishments lies an understanding of the importance of education. She recognizes that for permaculture to flourish, it must be passed down to future generations. Her approach has been to integrate alternative ways seamlessly into permaculture education, creating an inspiring model for sustainable learning.
We believe that in education, the use of educational technologies to teach permaculture can be a more inspiring experience. Ana’s facility has the best potential to boast the use of state-of-the-art educational technologies that facilitate the permaculture education process. From interactive touchscreen displays explaining permaculture principles to weather-monitoring sensors integrated into sustainable farming practices, technology can become an integral component of this educational initiative.
One of the standout examples of technology involvement in permaculture education can be the use of drones. These unmanned aerial vehicles provide aerial views of the permaculture farms, helping students understand the patterns and designs of ecosystems. With the data collected, Ana’s team can optimize planting strategies, conserve resources, and reduce waste. Drones are not just gadgets; they are powerful tools for making the invisible web of life visible to learners.
Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) experiences are other powerful tools that can take permaculture education to a whole new level. Students can immerse themselves in virtual permaculture landscapes, experiencing firsthand how ecosystems interact, evolve, and adapt. These technologies provide a deeper understanding of the symbiotic relationships that sustain our planet.
Collaborative platforms and data-driven tools also play a vital role in educating future environmental stewards. We can employ technology to monitor farm activities, collect data, and analyze the results. Students can actively participate in this process, using digital dashboards to assess the health and sustainability of the ecosystems they manage. This real-world, hands-on experience can empower learners to become active agents of change in the journey towards a sustainable future.
In the lush, green landscapes of Maribor, Ana Vovk Korz has demonstrated that the synergy of permaculture with self-sufficiency is a potent force for change. In an era where environmental challenges are growing, it is through education that we can sow the seeds of awareness, responsibility, and action.
Technology, when integrated thoughtfully into permaculture education, paves the way for a generation that understands the delicate balance of nature and how to nurture it. We consider that technology’s role in permaculture education is not just important—it’s indispensable. By educating our youth about permaculture practices with the help of technology, we empower them to be the change-makers our planet so desperately needs. In Maribor, the future of our environment is taking root, one innovative lesson at a time.
