SHORT NOTE
According to Spalding, Williams, & Wise (2014), most of the sustainability course identification focuses on topics and content in the form of courseware delivered through lecture model of information-dispensing, indicating thereby a lack of appropriate instructional methodologies and rigour of pedagogical processes.. The authors further add that sustainability and co-curricular programming of the picked up course content without place-based adaptations . Thus, sustainability education is still 'an 'emerging field with nascent clarity about best practices and guiding theories'.'
This is despite the fact that a suggested five-dimensional Sustainability Pedagogy Model (Burns, 2009) is already available consisting of 'Content, Perspectives, Process, Context and Design' dimensions. Burn adds that the Sustainability Pedagogy is needed to be grounded in 'specific contextual ecosystems with communities' enabling the teachers and learners to live, learn, and contribute to the problem solving in the format of place-based experiential learning
Burns, Sybil & Spalding (2019) remind that if the sustainability education is to be taught qualitability, the educators need to be trained and developed professionally in contextual adaptation of the topics and its delivery with sustainability pedagogy, They state:
Sustainability is being woven into higher education with the goal of empowering students to develop intellectual knowledge in regards to sustainability challenges and being able to act compassionately and collaboratively in response to these complex challenges. If learners are to become citizens capable of affecting holistic sustainable change and finding creative solutions, then the sustainability pedagogy in which they participate should reflect these goals. Sustainability teaching and learning thus requires engaged, creative educators who are willing to be challenged and to challenge learners to connect with issues, problems, communities, and places in creative, systems-based ways. Using an ecological design process to create opportunities for transformational learning involves integrating content, perspectives, process, and context, with attention to personal development and meaning-making.
In response to UN's the drive Sustainable Development Goals, UNESCO has come up with a design of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) meant to meet the 'urgent challenges facing our planet.' The UNESCO (2014) states:
Human activities have changed the Earth’s ecosystems so much that our survival is at risk, and these changes are becoming harder to reverse every day. To prevent global warming from reaching catastrophic levels, we urgently need to take action. Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) empowers people with the knowledge, skills, values, attitudes and behaviors to live in a way that is good for the environment, economy, and society. It encourages people to make smart, responsible choices that help create a better future for everyone.
Sketch Note
REFERENCES
Burns, H. (2009). Education as sustainability: An action research study of the Burns model of sustainability pedagogy. (Doctoral dissertation). Portland State University, Portland Oregon. Retrieved from https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/ open_access_etds/942/
Spalding, H., Williams, D.R., Wise, V. (2014). Designing and assessing learning outcomes: A framework for co-curricular sustainability programs. Journal of Sustainability Education, 6, 1-22. Retrieved from http://www.susted.com/wordpress/content/designing-and-assessing-learning-outcomes-a-framework-for-co-curricular-sustainability-programs_2014_06/
Burns, H., Sybil, K.S. and Spalding, H. (2019). Teaching Sustainability: Recommendations for Best Pedagogical Practice, The Journal of sustainability education February 26th, 2019, Retrieved from shttps://www.susted.com/wordpress/content/teaching-sustainability-recommendations-for-best-pedagogical-practices_2019_02/
[UNESCO]. (2014)Education for sustainable development..United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Retreived from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/leading-the-international-agenda/education-for-sustainable-development/
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