Connecting curricula and competence through student learning journeys

IF 3.6 Q2 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Sustainability: Science, Practice, and Policy Pub Date : 2022-08-11 DOI:10.1080/15487733.2022.2097773

Jodie Birdman, M. Barth, Daniel J. Lang

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Abstract This research examines the connection between higher education curricula for sustainable development and student development of key competencies for sustainability. The authors conducted a comparative case study that followed ten students from three graduate sustainability programs. Through a combination of student-generated and contextual data, we created a set of learning journeys. These journeys showed that activities which foster reflection, interaction, and real-world connections are especially critical for competence development as part of the whole curriculum. What and how students found most useful depended on individual disposition and we identified four general categories based on prior experience, attitude to learning, and individual goals. Barriers to competency development were frustration, feelings of helplessness, and being unable to link competence to concrete activities or concepts. These barriers could be mitigated through peer interaction and mentorship, environmental support such as spaces for collaboration, and instructor scaffolding. Because no single course can fit the needs of each student, we recommend that beneficial components in the form of courses that support the above-mentioned activities be part of purposeful curriculum design.

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通过学生的学习历程将课程和能力联系起来

摘要本研究探讨了高等教育可持续发展课程与学生可持续发展关键能力发展之间的关系。作者对来自三个研究生可持续发展项目的10名学生进行了比较案例研究。通过结合学生生成的数据和上下文数据，我们创建了一套学习之旅。这些旅程表明，培养反思、互动和现实世界联系的活动对于整个课程的能力发展尤为重要。学生们发现什么和如何发现最有用取决于个人的性格，我们根据之前的经验、对学习的态度和个人目标确定了四个一般类别。能力发展的障碍是挫折，无助感，以及无法将能力与具体的活动或概念联系起来。这些障碍可以通过同伴互动和指导、环境支持(如协作空间)和指导脚手架来减轻。因为没有一门课程可以满足每个学生的需求，我们建议在有目的的课程设计中，以支持上述活动的课程形式的有益成分。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Sustainability: Science, Practice, and Policy Social Sciences-Geography, Planning and Development

CiteScore

12.00

自引率

0.00%

发文量

审稿时长

27 weeks

期刊介绍： Sustainability: Science, Practice and Policy is a refereed, open-access journal which recognizes that climate change and other socio-environmental challenges require significant transformation of existing systems of consumption and production. Complex and diverse arrays of societal factors and institutions will in coming decades need to reconfigure agro-food systems, implement renewable energy sources, and reinvent housing, modes of mobility, and lifestyles for the current century and beyond. These innovations will need to be formulated in ways that enhance global equity, reduce unequal access to resources, and enable all people on the planet to lead flourishing lives within biophysical constraints. The journal seeks to advance scientific and political perspectives and to cultivate transdisciplinary discussions involving researchers, policy makers, civic entrepreneurs, and others. The ultimate objective is to encourage the design and deployment of both local experiments and system innovations that contribute to a more sustainable future by empowering individuals and organizations and facilitating processes of social learning.