Higher education: the best practices for fostering competences for sustainable development through the use of active learning methodologies

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matilde Martínez Casanovas ◽  
Noemí Ruíz-Munzón ◽  
Marian Buil-Fabregá
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Active Learning ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Real World ◽  
Problem Based Learning ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse which are the active learning methodologies, which had better contribute to acquiring competences for sustainable development (SD) in higher education. Design/methodology/approach Cluster analysis is used to define 252 students’ skills patterns and their perception of the different active learning methodologies conducted in class to promote SD. Findings The results show how different learning methodologies enhance SD, the quality assessment perception of students regarding the methodologies used in class and present real-world experiences, problem-based learning and case studies as the active learning methodologies that had better promote SD. Research limitations/implications The limitations of the study are that the results obtained are particular for one university and are not generalizable to other institutions and could vary depending on the degree and year of study of the group of student participants. Practical implications The research proposes to introduce active learning methodologies in general and real-world experiences, problem-based learning and case studies in particular, in education for sustainable development. Social implications These research findings could be used for those interested in applying active learning methodologies to foster the acquisition of SD competences to promote the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development goals. Originality/value This research study aims to shed light on the nascent stage of the relationship between pedagogical approaches used in higher education to develop sustainability competences.

Analysis of sustainability insertion in materials selection courses of engineering undergraduate programmes

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeniffer Fonseca Zanitt ◽  
Izabela Simon Rampasso ◽  
Osvaldo Luiz Gonçalves Quelhas ◽  
Milena Pavan Serafim ◽  
Walter Leal Filho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Delphi Method ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Materials Selection ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The Subject

Purpose This study aims to analyse how the materials selection courses of engineering undergraduate programmes can be better aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Design/methodology/approach Initially, a content analysis was performed in 39 materials selection course descriptions from 40 engineering undergraduate programmes of Brazilian higher education institutions, and subsequently, Delphi method procedures were conducted with professors that teach or have taught the course and are knowledgeable in the subject of sustainability. Findings Considering the analysed course descriptions, it was shown that most of the materials selection courses do not consider or present little emphasis on sustainability aspects. Regarding the Delphi method, eight items were evidenced to consider sustainability aspects in the analysed courses. Originality/value This study contributes to the debates about sustainability insertion in engineering undergraduate programmes. More specifically, the findings presented consolidated information that professors and coordinators can use to align materials selection courses with the SDGs better.

Exploring the relationship between dispositions to think critically and sustainability concern in HESD

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerry Shephard ◽  
Qudsia Kalsoom ◽  
Ritika Gupta ◽  
Lorenz Probst ◽  
Paul Gannon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Critical Thinking ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Educational Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Higher education is uncertain which sustainability-related education targets should be sought and monitored. Accepting that something needs to be measurable to be systematically improved, the authors explored how measures relate to potential targets. This paper aims to focus on dispositions to think critically (active open-minded thinking and fair-minded thinking in appraising reasoning) as measures and explored how they related to sustainability concern as an indicative educational target. Design/methodology/approach This research included the development and testing of research instruments (scales) that explored dispositions to critical thinking and sustainability concern. Authors researched these instruments within their own correspondence groups and tested them with university students and staff in Pakistan, the USA, Austria, India and New Zealand. The authors also asked a range of contextualising questions. Findings Respondents’ disposition to aspects of active, open-minded thinking and fair-minded thinking do predict their concern about facets of sustainability but their strength of religious belief was an important factor in these relationships and in their measurement. Practical implications This research demonstrates the complexity of monitoring dispositions to think critically and sustainability concern in educational systems, particularly in circumstances where the roles of religious beliefs are of interest; and suggests ways to address this complexity. Originality/value This research integrates and expands discourses on ESD and on critical thinking in diverse disciplines and cultures. It investigates measurement approaches and targets that could help higher education institutions to educate for sustainable development and to monitor their progress, in ways that are compatible with their culture and values.

Teaching digital natives to acquire competences for sustainable development

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 1053-1069
Author(s):  
Llorenç Bagur-Femenías ◽  
Marian Buil-Fabrega ◽  
Juan Pedro Aznar
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Digital Natives ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Development Education ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Development Goals

Purpose The purpose of this research is to analyse how to adapt teaching and learning methodologies to new generations of digital natives to promote their commitment to sustainable development. The research explores the existence of a relationship between digital natives’ characteristics, individual dynamic capabilities and their commitment to innovation and therefore to sustainability. Design/methodology/approach A structural equation model is used to test the proposed hypothesis by a survey conducted with 532 digital-native higher education students. Findings The results show the existence of a significant relationship between digital natives’ competences, individual dynamic capabilities and a better approach to managing situations with regard to relationships with key stakeholders and the fostering of innovation and commitment to the social and environmental issues demanded by society. Research limitations/implications The limitations of this study are that it is based on a sample from a specific Spanish university that cannot be representative of all digital natives from all universities and different cultural contexts. The variables measuring the characteristics of digital natives have only recently been used in the academic literature. Practical implications The research proposes including individual dynamic capabilities and innovation courses in sustainable development education to accelerate the implementation of sustainable development goals. These research findings can be used as insights into the development of university programmes and courses. Originality/value This research is one of the first attempts at understanding how to promote education for sustainable development among digital natives and at identifying them as future change makers for sustainable development.

Barriers to innovation and sustainability in universities: an international comparison

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 805-821 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas Veiga Ávila ◽  
Thiago Antonio Beuron ◽  
Luciana Londero Brandli ◽  
Luana Inês Damke ◽  
Rudiney Soares Pereira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
International Research ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Main Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Teaching Research ◽  
Development Goals

Purpose Sustainability has become a global concern to deal with complex and unprecedent survival, social, political and peace issues. Higher education institutions play a key role in this transformation. This paper aims to conduct a comparative analysis by continents of innovation and sustainability barriers in universities. The document also offers opportunities and potential actions for universities to create initiatives to minimize barriers and move towards a sustainable future. Design/methodology/approach To carry out the study, 25 closed questions, composed of a five-point Likert scale, were applied to 283 university representatives (rectors, managers or specialists in the area of innovation and sustainability), to check the degree of application of the questionnaire. Findings From an exploratory statistical analysis, it was found that the main barriers were lacking of planning and focus, lacking of environmental committee, lacking of applicability and continuity of actions and resistance to changes. Among continents, Africa and Oceania presented the best innovation and sustainability indicators in universities. The main approach of this exploratory study on barriers in universities is as an international research, whose findings showed that several barriers currently prevent universities from getting involved in sustainable development efforts. However, as we debate sustainable development, which is gaining momentum, universities are supposed to move forward to overcome barriers for the sake of implementing goals and initiatives. In addition, universities must seize opportunities to contribute through innovation in teaching, research and initiatives to achieve the 17 sustainable development goals. Research limitations/implications This study has two main limitations: first, online research has involved professionals working in the field of sustainable development in higher education. Second, there were no interviews conducted to gather personal information with students and servers. However, the broad scope of the study and its strong international base provide important results that enable the design of an adequate profile of sustainability and innovation challenges that are currently found in universities. Practical implications The study showed that there is lack of knowledge management to connect science, technology, innovation and sustainability, to improve management conditions, innovate, make decisions, support initiatives, create incentives and control mechanisms. Trends suggest that future professional activities involve skills in dealing with complex problems, sometimes in careers and jobs yet to be created. Traditional teaching methods are generally only prepared for routine tasks and for existing jobs, thus requiring the creation of new approaches capable of stimulating creativity and autonomy, which are essential for the present and future demands of innovation and sustainability. Social implications The exploratory study on barriers in universities brings international research as main approach, which made it possible to check that several barriers currently prevent universities from getting involved in sustainable development efforts. However, as we debate sustainable development, which is gaining momentum, it is important that universities should move forward to overcome the barriers to implementation of goals and initiatives. In addition, universities should take advantage of opportunities to contribute through innovation in teaching, research and action to achieve the 17 sustainable development goals. Originality/value Developed countries are leaders in promoting sustainability, while developing or underdeveloped countries are laggards. In this approach, the study sought to verify the differences through a comparative analysis across continents. As for originality and innovation, this paper presents an international study in the view of specialists who respond based on the experience of their university.

scholarly journals Contribución de la educación superior a los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible desde la docencia

2020 ◽  
pp. 89
Author(s):  
Débora Isabel Ramos Torres
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
International Association ◽  
Global Alliance ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
World Survey ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Teaching Function ◽  
The One

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have become entrenched in higher education institutions (HEIs) for their commitment to training people with relevant key competencies to address them. The article examines how teaching has been configured as the dimension with the greatest potential to incorporate sustainable development and how, together with research, it is considered one of the main areas of contribution to the achievement of the SDGs, concretized in the integration of these objectives to the study plans of the official degrees that, as a training action, are carried out. From the review of the Report of the Second World Survey of the International Association of Universities on Higher Education, Research and Sustainable Development, the annual Report of the Agreement on the SDGs of the Global Alliance and the Dossier of the Spanish Network for Development Sustainable, each SDG analyzes the relevant actions of integration of these Global Objectives in the teaching function and references to experiences as case studies. The analysis of the results shows a high variability between the universities regarding the degree of approach of each of the SDGs and the tendency to identify as well-established work, the one carried out with SDG 4, as a priority from teaching. The case studies analyzed show a significant differentiation regarding the types of actions they carry out and their trends. The use of surveys such as those analyzed are insufficient to observe the development of integration in the curricula, more experiences such as that developed by REDS are needed, as well as online platforms in which teachers present their experiences of curricular redesigns and incorporation from the SDGs to the curricula and mapping of the new degrees that are emerging.   

Tourism: how to achieve the sustainable development goals?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugues Seraphin ◽  
Vanessa Gowreesunkar
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Theme Issue ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Regional Organisation ◽  
Online Sources ◽  
Sustainable Action

Purpose The purpose is to provide an overview as to how the sustainable development goals (SDGs) are being implemented by countries with different tourism requirements and resources. In so doing, this theme issue presents case studies from across the globe and examines them from academic and practitioner perspectives. The case studies cover: hospitality, tourism agriculture, events, small and medium sized businesses, sport, the African Union as a regional organisation and wildlife tourism. Ultimately, the objective is to encourage countries to implement the SDGs by highlighting the benefits they bring to the economy, society and the environment. Design/methodology/approach This paper outlines the theme issue approach which draws on a blend of case studies, online sources, literature review and industry reports. This combination of primary, secondary and tertiary data enables a meaningful analysis of the implementation of SDGs in destinations with different requirements and characteristics. Findings The theme issue findings provide insights on the history, status and progress of SDGs in hospitality and tourism worldwide. Based on reviews and practical evidence, it is clear that many countries have not yet successfully implemented the SDGs, whereas others have made significant progress by embracing sustainable action. The overall observations point towards collaboration between stakeholders, and the scale of organisations as a sine qua non condition for the achievement of sustainability. Originality/value The value of this theme issue is that it presents a variety of case studies that demonstrate how different countries have successfully implemented the SDGs and the challenges faced while embracing those actions. Each case presented is unique and the variety of strategies proposed therein serves as guide to practitioners and destination managers. Further, the findings may be applicable to other geographic regions with similar contexts.

Pre-service English language teachers’ conceptions of sustainable development: a case from Turkish higher education context

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 423-456
Author(s):  
Leyla Yılmaz Fındık ◽  
İlknur Bayram ◽  
Özlem Canaran
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Turkish Higher Education ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
English Language Teachers ◽  
Course Syllabus

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore how sustainable development (SD) is conceptualized by pre-service English language teachers in Turkey and design a specialized course syllabus on SD in English language teaching (ELT) in the light of the research findings. Design/methodology/approach The study used a mixed-methods sequential explanatory study design and investigated the case of a state university in Turkey with the involvement of 133 pre-service English language teachers. Findings The findings indicated that most pre-service English language teachers received no training or a course on SD in their whole education life and tended to associate SD mostly with the economic growth of a country, followed by education, social and ecological concepts. It was also found that the majority of the participants had a unidimensional view of SD. No direct links with ELT have been detected from participants’ responses. The findings also pointed to the eagerness of the participants to receive an ELT-specific course on SD providing that the course involves interactive teaching and learning activities with reference to contemporary sources focusing on global and local issues, as well as studying the methods facilitating the incorporation of such issues into teaching practice. Research limitations/implications This research is based on the experience of one Turkish university with limited quantitative and qualitative data. Practical implications Based on the participants’ knowledge, views and suggestions, this paper contributes to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence obtained from a local context and suggests a practical framework for a field-specific course syllabus aiming to enhance teacher candidates’ knowledge, skills and values related to SD and its incorporation into ELT. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study seeking to explore pre-service ELT teachers’ conceptualization of SD in Turkish higher education, and drawing on the research findings, the authors attempted to design a course syllabus targeted at pre-service teachers in ELT departments.

Conclusion − tourism: how to achieve the sustainable development goals?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugues Seraphin ◽  
Vanessa Gowreesunkar
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Theme Issue ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Hospitality And Tourism ◽  
Hospitality And Tourism Industry

Purpose This concluding paper filters out the main points relating to the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) arising from the theme issue. The aim is to provide an insight as to how the hospitality and tourism industry is aligning its actions with the SDGs given the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic and other recent issues such as overtourism. Design/methodology/approach The approach is based on evidence and findings derived from the case studies featured in this issue presented by practitioners and academics. Findings The overall findings show destinations along with the hospitality and tourism industry are engineering a variety of strategies to make the industry sustainable. The practical solutions recommended by contributors are helpful in terms of sharing good practices and identifying potential barriers to the execution of those practices. Originality/value The articles in this theme issue address a theoretical and practical gap while proposing innovative sustainable tourism strategies directed towards the implementation of the United Nations SDGs. The value of this paper lies in the fact that it draws from a variety of original case studies, each unique in their own right and proposes innovative ideas on how the tourism and hospitality industry may implement the SDGs in their businesses while safeguarding the interest of the economy, society and the environment.

Higher education in Japan: internationalization, the Sustainable Development Goals and survivability

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sachi Edwards ◽  
Akemi Ashida
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Higher Education Internationalization

PurposeThis paper reviews the national and institutional internationalization activities in Japan's higher education sector and considers the extent to which these efforts have attempted to incorporate and/or contribute to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Design/methodology/approachThis paper was developed based on a review of available demographic data on internationalization in Japan (in both English and Japanese), a survey of recent scholarly literature on this topic and conversations with numerous faculty and staff members working on internationalization issues in a wide range of higher education institutions throughout the country.FindingsThere are substantial internationalization efforts being made at both national and institutional levels, yet scholars and practitioners of higher education question the extent to which genuine internationalization is occurring. Moreover, the metrics used to track internationalization are somewhat limited and the available data, in many cases, can be complicated to interpret. A bit of tension also exists in Japanese universities between those who support the movement to internationalize and those who see it as a passing fad, an intrusion on their academic freedom and/or as a guise for Westernization – a tension that some cite, along with language barriers and system misalignment, as a challenge to internationalization.Originality/valueNumerous scholars discuss the internationalization of higher education in Japan. The originality of this paper is in the comparison of Japan's higher education internationalization efforts to the movement to achieve the SDGs – both in Japan and as a global effort.

Universities as the engine of transformational sustainability toward delivering the sustainable development goals

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 1343-1357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Maria Purcell ◽  
Heather Henriksen ◽  
John D. Spengler
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Education Sector ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Living Lab ◽  
Development Goals

Purpose Universities can do more to deliver against the sustainable development goals (SDGs), working with faculty, staff and students, as well as their wider stakeholder community and alumni body. They play a critical role in helping shape new ways for the world, educating global citizens and delivering knowledge and innovation into society. Universities can be engines of societal transformation. Using a multiple case study approach, this study aims to explore different ways of strategizing sustainability toward delivering the SDGs are explored in a university setting with an example from the UK, Bulgaria (Europe) and USA. Design/methodology/approach The first case is a public UK university that adopted enterprise and sustainability as its academic mission to secure differentiation in a disrupted and increasingly marketized global higher education sector; this became a source of inspiration for change in regional businesses and the local community. The second case is a business sector-led sustainability-driven transformation working with a private university in Bulgaria to catalyze economic regeneration and social innovation. Finally, a case from the office for sustainability in a major US research university is given to show how its engagement program connected faculty and students in sustainability projects within the institution and with external partners. Findings Each case is in effect a “living lab,” positioning sustainability as an intentional and aspirational strategy with sustainable development and the SDG framework a means to that end. Leadership at all levels, and by students, was key to success in acting with a shared purpose. Partnerships within and with universities can help accelerate delivery of the SDGs, enabling higher education to make a fuller contribution to sustaining the economic, environmental, cultural and intellectual well-being of our global communities. Originality/value The role of universities as the engine of transformational sustainability toward delivering the SDGs has been explored by way of three case studies that highlight different means toward that end. The collegiate nature of the higher education sector, with its shared governance models and different constituencies and performance drivers, means that sustainability at a strategic level must be led with leaders at all levels acting with purpose. The “living lab” model can become a part of transformative institutional change that draws on both top-down and bottom-up strategies in pursuit of sustainable development.

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