More-than-human perspectives in understanding embodied learning: Experience, ecological sustainability and education

Biljana Culibrk Fredriksen

doi:10.7577/formakademisk.3549

Authors

Biljana Culibrk Fredriksen University of Southeast Norway

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7577/formakademisk.3549

Keywords:

more-than-human, embodiment, experience, multispecies ethnography, ecological sustainability

Abstract

Abilities to learn through embodied interactions with environments are biologically imprinted in both humans and many other species in order to preserve survival of the species. By combining data from studies with young children’s and a foal’s (a newborn horse’s) experiential learning, the author shows how both humans and other-than-human learn thought self-initiated actions, embodied intra-action with their environments and considerate choices of action. The article suggests that a justification of embodied learning as crucial for survival across species could motivate deconstruction of dualisms between embodied and verbal, between human and other-than-human, and promote more holistic understanding of learning. In the times of emerging ecological challenges, embodied forms learning can cultivate ecological awareness and provide conditions for education for ecological sustainability.

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