A learning history combines story with analysis. On the first evening of the Workshop we discussed how working with stories is different. A reader might have all kinds of conflicting thoughts/feelings whilst reading. Different readers will interpret the story in different ways. To prepare participants for this, we presented a brief overview of the 5 inspirational stories that would be featured throughout the event. We then asked for their reactions to those stories and we recorded these on posters.
Don't iconify just these examples, warn participants.
Mixed feelings about the Inspirational Stories presented.
As the posters above show, 'inspirational stories' such as those featured in this research can provoke mixed feelings. Participants saw that the stories were inspiring and clearly a good source of learning. However by putting just a few examples on a pedestal and asking others to learn from them an unintended set of consequences can arise: For example, less well-known but valuable projects in their own right remain unacknowledged when we hone in on just a few examples. Also the courage of those who 'tried and failed' does not appear to be recognised if we stick to the success stories.
Keen to address this, an important part of the Learning History workshop was to invite those present to bring in their own stories of carbon reduction. This they did during story circles. They are also invited via this website to share their ongoing stories of addressing carbon reduction in their own locale.
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