TY - JOUR

T1 - Design and evaluation of learning processes in an international sustainability oriented study programme. In search of a new educational quality and assessment method

AU - Dlouha, Jana

AU - Burandt, Simon

N1 - Manuscript Number: JCLEPRO-D-13-01602R2

PY - 2015/11/1

Y1 - 2015/11/1

N2 - Debates relevant to transdiciplinary and sustainability oriented teaching at the higher education level anticipate necessary transitions in curricula. This article describes an international sustainability-oriented teaching and learning programme at the higher education level, where theoretical concepts developed over recent decades were applied in teaching practice, tested and reflected upon. The authors have operationalized conditions for learning success in a transdisciplinary learning environment, designed courses so that desirable competences were not only a by-product of sustainability oriented teaching, but its primary educational goal, developed (formative) assessment tools, observed the specifics of the environment in which particular courses have been realized (e-learning setting), and received feedback on students' perceptions of various aspects of their learning. While the content of the programme was concerned with the principles of sustainability, its methodological focus on competences was associated with a change in communication practices between teachers and students that have been gradually liberated from the traditional transmission model in favour of a more open and interactive one. Analysis of the students' perception of the learning process showed their attitudes and approaches to learning ranged from a surface approach to a deep approach; desirable approaches have been identified as core educational qualities to be preserved within curricular innovations. The article contributes to understanding the role of the learning environment which provides the opportunities for teacher interventions to support interactive and self-directed learning.

AB - Debates relevant to transdiciplinary and sustainability oriented teaching at the higher education level anticipate necessary transitions in curricula. This article describes an international sustainability-oriented teaching and learning programme at the higher education level, where theoretical concepts developed over recent decades were applied in teaching practice, tested and reflected upon. The authors have operationalized conditions for learning success in a transdisciplinary learning environment, designed courses so that desirable competences were not only a by-product of sustainability oriented teaching, but its primary educational goal, developed (formative) assessment tools, observed the specifics of the environment in which particular courses have been realized (e-learning setting), and received feedback on students' perceptions of various aspects of their learning. While the content of the programme was concerned with the principles of sustainability, its methodological focus on competences was associated with a change in communication practices between teachers and students that have been gradually liberated from the traditional transmission model in favour of a more open and interactive one. Analysis of the students' perception of the learning process showed their attitudes and approaches to learning ranged from a surface approach to a deep approach; desirable approaches have been identified as core educational qualities to be preserved within curricular innovations. The article contributes to understanding the role of the learning environment which provides the opportunities for teacher interventions to support interactive and self-directed learning.

KW - Sustainability Science

KW - ESD

KW - Competences

KW - Higher Education

KW - Learning approach

KW - Assessment

KW - e-learning

KW - Sustainability sciences, Communication

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84938212891&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.09.096

DO - 10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.09.096

M3 - Journal articles

AN - SCOPUS:84938212891

VL - 106

SP - 247

EP - 258

JO - Journal of Cleaner Production

JF - Journal of Cleaner Production

SN - 0959-6526

ER -