I learned a new word the other day.... Parkour. Do you know it? I was concerned by a colleague's leg bruises, thinking perhaps she had tripped and fallen.... but NOOOOO... I learned it was a result of "parkour."
Parkour (French pronunciation) is a holistic training discipline using movement that developed from military obstacle course training. Practitioners aim to get from A to B in the most efficient way possible.They do this using only their bodies and their surroundings to propel themselves. Furthermore, they try to maintain as much momentum as is possible in a safe manner. Parkour can include obstacle courses, running, climbing, swinging, vaulting, jumping, rolling, quadrupedal movement, and the like, depending on what movement is most suitable for the given situation. (Wikipedia information copied for this blog)
Here is our colleague... can you tell who it is?
So how is Parkour like extension work you ask????
A newer convention of parkour philosophy has been the idea of "human reclamation". Andy (Animus of Parkour North America) clarifies it as "a means of reclaiming what it means to be a human being. It teaches us to touch the world and interact with it, instead of being sheltered by it." "It is as much as a part of truly learning the physical art as well as being able to master the movements, it gives you the ability to overcome your fears and pains and reapply this to life as you must be able to control your mind in order to master the art of parkour."
Extension education is about having our participants get in touch with themselves and their environment, master new skills, and overcome their fears and pains to apply new skills to their lives.
Academic research on parkour has tended to describe how parkour provides a novel way of interacting with the (urban) environment, that challenges the use and meaning of urban space, metropolitan life, and embodiment.
Yes - Parkour is studied to see its impact!!!! - like Extension programs. I attended a meeting this week discussing how the Parents Forever on-line course impacted the lives of over 1,000 participants - yes, in positive ways.
Traceur Dylan Baker says "Parkour also influences one's thought processes by enhancing self-confidence and critical thinking skills that allow one to overcome everyday physical and mental obstacles".
Well, I am not ready to advocate that we include parkour as an application exercise in all our FD classes... but, I pose the question to you - How do include educational activities to enhance self-confidence and critical thinking in your education? How do you provide application activities so participants can practice overcoming physical and mental obstacles? (share your answers in the comment box)
(Figured out the colleague yet? Hint... her name rhymes with banana)
Type her name in the comment box if you know
Extension Provides a Local Opportunity to Share Your Scholarship - Take Advantage of it!!!
Present a Poster
Please consider
presenting a poster at the 2014 Extension Program Conference. Share
scholarship, research, and new insights gleaned from your work, while
interacting with your Extension colleagues. All conference invitees are
encouraged to submit an abstract for a poster.
This year, poster
abstracts will be accepted based on the following criteria:
Significance
– addresses a topic or topics that are relevant for and of importance to
Extension.
Originality
– introduces new and innovative work and ideas to Extension, showing how gaps
in knowledge in your field were addressed.
Quality
– shows intellectual and methodological rigor.
Appropriateness – is clear, organized, and well-conceptualized.
Abstract
submissions are due Friday, September 5 by 5 p.m. To submit an abstract for
consideration, please visit the event website. The submission is done via
an on-line form. We suggest that you create a document with all the pertinent
information, then cut and paste into the form, so that you will be able to keep a separate copy of your submission. Late
submissions will not be reviewed. Notifications regarding abstract submission
results will by made by September 19. If you have any
questions, please contact Cindy Tong (c-tong@umn.edu).
Present a Lightning Talk
An informal evening event with rapid-fire presentations from colleagues, the Lightning Talks are back by popular demand on Monday, October 6, 4:30-6 p.m. We are looking for presenters to give Lightning Talks. Please sign up online to present a talk by Friday, September 5. For signup, we simply need your title and a brief description. Slides will be due on September 19.
The only requirement is to choose something that interests you, and may
interest others! Topics related to your program area, professional
interests, or avocations are encouraged. More information is available
on the program conference website. If you have any questions, please contact Cindy Tong c-tong@umn.edu or Ryan Pesch pesch@umn.edu.
