scholarly journals Current Practices and Future Pathways towards Competencies in Education for Sustainable Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 8733
Author(s):  
Gisela Cebrián ◽  
Mercè Junyent ◽  
Ingrid Mulà
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Informal Education ◽  
Model Building ◽  
Education For Sustainable Development ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Group Model ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Competencies Development

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development reflects the urgency to embed the principles of education for sustainable development (ESD) into all levels of education. ESD, understood as an integral part of quality education and where all educational institutions, from preschool to higher education and in non-formal and informal education, can and should foster the development of sustainability competencies. This Special Issue entitled “Competencies in Education for Sustainable Development II” responds to this urgency and the papers presented deliver recent developments in the field of sustainability and ESD competencies. They focus on various perspectives: systematic literature reviews and conceptual contributions; curriculum developments and pedagogical approaches to explore competencies’ development, such as action research, serious games, augmented reality, multi-course project-based learning and group model building processes; testing and validation of assessment tools and processes for linking sustainability competencies to employability and quality assurance processes. The contributions show how the field of sustainability and ESD competencies has become a major focus in recent years and present emerging research developments. Further research efforts need to be put into operationalizing sustainability competencies and developing tools that help measure and assess students’ and educators’ competencies development.

scholarly journals Competencies in Education for Sustainable Development: Emerging Teaching and Research Developments

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gisela Cebrián ◽  
Mercè Junyent ◽  
Ingrid Mulà
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Extracurricular Activities ◽  
Informal Education ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Education For Sustainable Development ◽  
External Support ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Competencies Development

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development clearly reflects the urgency to embed the principles of education for sustainable development (ESD) into all levels of education. ESD, understood as an integral part of quality education and all educational institutions, from preschool to higher education and in nonformal and informal education, can and should foster the development of sustainability competencies. This Special Issue entitled “Competencies in Education for Sustainable Development” responds to this urgency and the papers presented deliver recent developments in the field of ESD competencies. They focus on various perspectives: systematic literature reviews; curriculum developments; meta-analysis of the interrelation between sustainability content, competencies developed and pedagogical approaches used; testing and validation of evaluation tools and processes for sustainability competencies; and the development of conceptual models focused on different subject areas and educational levels (higher education, primary education, rural schools, external support services to schools, and extracurricular activities). The contributions indicate how the field of ESD competencies in the area of sustainability has become a major focus in recent years. Further research efforts need to be put into operationalizing sustainability competencies and developing tools to measure and evaluate students’ and educators’ competencies development.

scholarly journals Innovation projects in the area of formal, non-formal and informal education for sustainable development

2021 ◽  
pp. 63-75
Author(s):  
Liudmila Sokolova ◽  
Dmitrii Sergeevich Ermakov
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Informal Education ◽  
Education For Sustainable Development ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Environmental Aspects ◽  
Award Winning ◽  
Positive Individual ◽  
Innovation Projects ◽  
Societal Changes

Education for sustainable development (ESD) has been one of the priority vectors in the activity of international organizations since 1990s. The UNESCO-Japan Prize on Education for sustainable development has been awarded since 2015. This article is dedicated to the analysis of innovation projects in the area of formal, non-formal and informal education for sustainable development that have received this award over the period from 2015-= to 2019. The subject of this research is the content of projects and programs of the winner countries in the corresponding areas of ESD. The systemic approach demonstrates that the initiatives that equally affect social, economic and environmental aspects of ESD and lead to positive individual and societal changes become the winners. It is determined that the share of projects and programs in the area of formal and informal education is insignificant  (7 and 13%, respectively). Despite a considerable number for informal ESD (33%), most of the initiatives (47%) are of complex nature. The advanced experience of the award-winning countries complement the existing representations on the opportunities of studying the questions of sustainable development in the area of non-formal and informal education, as well as indicates the benefits of continuous ESD throughout life. For the implementation of ESD, the authors employ general institutional approach that reveals the strategy of activity of the educational institutions oriented towards sustainable development, which results in subsequent “ESD-transformation” of the traditional model of education.

Education for Sustainable Development

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Meghna Tare
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
South Carolina ◽  
United Nations ◽  
Informal Education ◽  
Local Level ◽  
The United States ◽  
Education For Sustainable Development ◽  
Sustainable Solutions ◽  
The United Nations ◽  
Multi Stakeholder

In 2003, in response to the United Nations (UN) Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, the United Nations University (UNU) Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability launched a global multi-stakeholder network of Regional Centers of Expertise (RCEs) on education for sustainable development (ESD). RCEs facilitate multi-sector collaboration and utilize formal, non-formal, and informal education to address sustainable development challenges in local and regional communities. In essence, RCEs are a tool for transformation to a more sustainable society, combining education and action for sustainable development. As we enter the new "ESD for 2030" decade, RCEs will continue to construct platforms for cross-sectoral dialogue between regional stakeholders and actors to promote and strengthen ESD at the local level. RCEs have committed to helping advance the five priority areas of action established in the Global Action Program on ESD and the new UN decade "ESD for 2030": advancing policy by mainstreaming ESD, transforming learning and training environments using whole-institution approaches, building capacities of educators and trainers, empowering and mobilizing youth, and accelerating sustainable solutions at the local level. RCEs are uniquely positioned to serve as shepherds in the realization of the new "ESD for 2030" decade. As of January 2019, 174 RCEs have officially been acknowledged by UNU worldwide, with eight RCEs in the United States: Georgetown, South Carolina; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Greater Atlanta, Georgia; Greater Burlington, Vermont; Greater Portland, Oregon; North Texas, Texas; Salisbury, Maryland; and Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. RCEs serve an essential role in the achievement of "ESD for 2030" goals by translating global objectives into the local contexts of our communities.

Becoming a competent teacher in education for sustainable development

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 630-653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan-Ole Brandt ◽  
Lina Bürgener ◽  
Matthias Barth ◽  
Aaron Redman
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Student Teachers ◽  
Content Knowledge ◽  
Teacher Education Program ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Education For Sustainable Development ◽  
Competence Development ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Action Competence

Purpose This paper aims to provide a holistic approach to assessing student teachers’ competence development in education for sustainable development (ESD). This is to provide evidence on which teaching and learning formats help to foster which aspects of ESD-specific professional action competence in teachers. The studied competencies consist of content knowledge (CK), pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) and the willingness to actively support and implement ESD. Design/methodology/approach A multiple case study design was used on two sequential modules of a university’s teacher education program. A mixed-methods approach was applied that combined surveys, videotaped and PhotoVoice-supported focus groups, as well as pre- and post-assessment tools. Qualitative data analysis was based on the coding paradigm of the qualitative content analysis, whereas quantitative data were interpreted by means of descriptive statistics and paired sample t-tests. Findings The results from this study clearly indicate that the two courses contributed to a shift in students’ non-cognitive dispositions. The study also provides evidence on the students’ competence development and demonstrates how two different learning settings support different dimensions of teachers’ professional action competence in terms of ESD. Originality/value The triangulation of data enabled not only a mere competence assessment but also deeper insights into learning processes, as well as into the drivers of and barriers to competence development. Furthermore, the study introduces an innovative approach to assessing the development of PCK.

Developing Active Learners Based on Education for Sustainable Development

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuji Nakamura
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Student Attitudes ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Sand Dunes ◽  
Smart Growth ◽  
Education For Sustainable Development ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Sustainable Society ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Development Of Attitudes

<p>The subject of “Comprehensive Geography” aims to cultivate student attitudes leading them to enthusiastically pursue global and regional issues by “considering some geographic contemporary issues from relationships between environments and human activities in order to build a sustainable society” from ESD’s (Education for Sustainable Development) perspective. I hope this report, developed in collaboration between teachers from Japan and the USA, showcases an example of how to incorporate the principles of ESD in a way that motivates students. Through PBL (Project Based Learning) experiences like this one, I hope to help students become leaders in creating a more sustainable society.</p><p> </p><p>Also, based on ESD, I have developed and implemented a framework for nurturing active learners in not only Geography classes but also through “integrated inquiry learning.” Specifically, my lesson plans often use the KCJ (the Knowledge Constructive Jigsaw Method) or PBL, and I have gradually tried to develop active learners by designing this framework with ESD’s viewpoint in mind.</p><p> </p><p>As a result, the development of attitudes has been linked as a factor to solve problems and inquiries about some global and regional issues. Therefore, it was recognized that ESD contributes to the development of active learners and the formation of emergent learning communities.</p><p> </p><p>In this assembly, I will show two concrete cases, one is the PBL on the Urban Design Project being applied to the Smart Growth Principles. This case study especially showed the importance of their own will to participate in and solve these social issues through presenting a self-made urban master plan.</p><p> </p><p>Another case is the KCJ on contemporary problem-solving at Tottori Sand Dunes. This case showed that the ability to find a “new” problem could be acquired through comprehending this complexity, by going back to the past and forth to the future.</p>

Implementation of education for sustainable development strategy in mathematics education through stakeholder cooperation

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (9) ◽  
pp. 90-100
Author(s):  
Anna Vintere
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Mathematics Education ◽  
Development Strategy ◽  
Informal Education ◽  
Professional Associations ◽  
Education For Sustainable Development ◽  
Development Education ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
Stakeholder Cooperation

The author has identified different stakeholder cooperation opportunities to implement the strategy for education for sustainable development (ESD) in mathematics education. Particular attention should be paid to mathematics education. Measurement for the implementation of the ESD strategy in mathematics education at Latvia University of Agriculture made by four input indicators as determined by the objectives of the UNECE Strategy for ESD are promoting sustainable development through formal, non-formal and informal education, equipping educators with the competence to include ESD in their teaching, and teaching tools and materials and research on ESD. The measures have been described based on the experience in different cooperation networks: Baltic Network in AGROMETRICS, Latvia-Lithuania cross-border network for adapting mathematical competences for socio-economic development (MATNET) and cross-border network for raising competencies in data analysis technologies (LV-LT-BY DATA ANALYSIS), as well as in cooperation with study programme directors, professional associations, employers and authorities. Keywords: Sustainable development, education for sustainable development, mathematics education, competencies, stakeholder cooperation.

scholarly journals Knowledge, Perceptions and Attitudes on Education for Sustainable Development of Pre-Service Early Childhood Teachers in Greece

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Anthoula Maidou ◽  
Katerina Plakitsi ◽  
Hariton M. Polatoglou
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
Informal Education ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Early Childhood Teachers ◽  
Education For Sustainable Development ◽  
Agenda 2030 ◽  
Perceptions And Attitudes ◽  
Education Of Students ◽  
The University

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is an important issue for the education of students worldwide becauseit offers knowledge, skills, attitudes and values necessary to ensure a sustainable future for humanity at local andglobal levels, which is nowadays becoming critical. The decade 2005-2014 called ‘Decade of ESD’ was an initiativeby the United Nations to promote ESD worldwide, followed currently by the Agenda 2030. ESD should be anongoing subject for students in formal and informal education, at all educational levels, and in life-long learningprograms, starting with early childhood education. This paper reports on the knowledge, perceptions and attitudes ofpre-service early childhood teachers of the University of Ioannina, Greece, on ESD using a quantitative approachutilizing a questionnaire. Our findings showed that most pre-service teachers had knowledge on environmentalaspects but did not consider societal and financial matters to be aspects of ESD. Furthermore, most students hadnever ESD lessons during their formal education. Our findings depict that pre-service students believe that ESD is animportant issue, that it should be included in the curricula and that lessons on EDS during their studies woulddevelop their ability to teach ESD to their students.

scholarly journals Integrating Education for Sustainable Development Competencies in Teacher Education

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 12555
Author(s):  
Kifah Imara ◽  
Fahriye Altinay
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Teacher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Education For Sustainable Development ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Teacher Competencies ◽  
Unified Framework ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Policy And Strategy ◽  
Key Competencies

The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive overview of the publications focused on integrating education for sustainable development (ESD) competencies into teacher education during the last decade, in an endeavour to identify which competencies have been considered in the literature as key competencies for reorienting teacher education towards sustainability as well as explore the suggested assessment tools and approaches to integrate these competencies into teacher education programmes. The results show increased attention during the last decade to develop a set of ESD competencies for teachers, which reveals the absence of a unified framework for teacher competencies for ESD. However, the extent to which these competencies are effectively integrated into teacher education remains an undiscovered area. This paper highlights the progress and gaps in the research related to mainstreaming ESD competencies in teacher education, providing evidence from the literature that can inform policy and strategy improvement in higher education institutions.

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