“…make me wise so I may uncover the
secrets you have hidden in every leaf and rock.”
(Traditional Prayer)
Through exploring the Medicine Wheel and its framework, adult educators are able to delve into a model that contains highly adaptable qualities and features that are applicable to many forums of adult learning.
Tapping into the Medicine Wheel is breaking new ground for educators who are open-minded and seeking diverse knowledge that will truly resonate with many of today’s adult learners.
The Philosophical Framework of the Medicine Wheel teaches that all aspects of self are inter-connected and dependent upon the other to achieve balance and well-being.
This holistic approach sees self at the core and comprised of all four dimensions throughout all processes in life and learning. How we engage in a meaningful learning process can be viewed from this holistic standpoint.
Embracing Aboriginal philosophies within the learning environment adds value to the learner’s journey and equips the Educator with a multitude of holistic methods, theories and provides powerful tools for adult pedagogy.
Aboriginal Adult Educator, Diane Hill (1995) points out, the medicine wheel places the spirit at the center of the knowledge process and seeks balance between its four dimensions rather than privileging any one form of knowing—an insight important for all areas of adult education. (Orr, 2003)
The Medicine Wheel serves as a reminder that all aspects of life are important and need to be in balance, if any parts are neglected life will thus be unbalanced and more challenging. ( Rybak and Decker-Fitts, 2009). McCabe states “…according to the Medicine Wheel, without an integration of the mind,body, emotions and spirit, the necessary qualities to create potentially meaningful experiences would be missing. ” (McCabe, 2008)
Health and wellness in a person’s life are seen as outcomes of the balance and integration of these within a person. The Medicine Wheel provides a format for teaching that establishes harmony between physicality, relationality, wisdom of the elders, spirituality and achieves healing and conflict resolution. (Orr,2003)
Tapping into the Medicine Wheel is breaking new ground for educators who are open-minded and seeking diverse knowledge that will truly resonate with many of today’s adult learners.
The Philosophical Framework of the Medicine Wheel teaches that all aspects of self are inter-connected and dependent upon the other to achieve balance and well-being.
This holistic approach sees self at the core and comprised of all four dimensions throughout all processes in life and learning. How we engage in a meaningful learning process can be viewed from this holistic standpoint.
Embracing Aboriginal philosophies within the learning environment adds value to the learner’s journey and equips the Educator with a multitude of holistic methods, theories and provides powerful tools for adult pedagogy.
Aboriginal Adult Educator, Diane Hill (1995) points out, the medicine wheel places the spirit at the center of the knowledge process and seeks balance between its four dimensions rather than privileging any one form of knowing—an insight important for all areas of adult education. (Orr, 2003)
The Medicine Wheel serves as a reminder that all aspects of life are important and need to be in balance, if any parts are neglected life will thus be unbalanced and more challenging. ( Rybak and Decker-Fitts, 2009). McCabe states “…according to the Medicine Wheel, without an integration of the mind,body, emotions and spirit, the necessary qualities to create potentially meaningful experiences would be missing. ” (McCabe, 2008)
Health and wellness in a person’s life are seen as outcomes of the balance and integration of these within a person. The Medicine Wheel provides a format for teaching that establishes harmony between physicality, relationality, wisdom of the elders, spirituality and achieves healing and conflict resolution. (Orr,2003)