Handbook for Year One Undergraduate Students
Module: Understanding Sustainable Education (Level 4)
Dr Peter Shukie Tuesday 9 – 12 UC318 (Assignment Support Monday 3 – 4pm in UC219)
Module Description: Introduction: Welcome to "Understanding Sustainable Education," the first module in a three-year journey aimed at shaping you into active, purposeful, and informed agents of change. As Year One Undergraduate students, you embark on a transformative exploration of sustainability, responding to the urgent call presented by climate change. This module aligns with UNESCO's vision, emphasizing the role of education in finding solutions for today's challenges and preparing you to contribute to a sustainable future.
Key Objectives: • • • • •
Define your role as an educator and active participant in addressing climate change. Understand UNESCO goals and the Sustainable Education approach. Explore the interaction between policy, practice, protest, and education across diverse sectors. Evaluate the UK government's response to sustainability in education. Examine the routes to social change, including direct action and policy advocacy.
Weekly Topics Tuesday 9 – 12 in UC318 1. UNESCO Goals and Sustainable Education: • Explore UNESCO goals and their relevance to sustainability in education. • Examine challenges for educators across various sectors. 2. Defining Sustainability: • Understand competing definitions of sustainability and their implications for educators. 3. Future Fit Framework: • Evaluate the Future Fit Framework, focusing on sustainability in Higher Education. 4. Becoming a Sustainable Educator: • Assess the concept of a 'sustainable educator.' • Explore and audit 'Education for Sustainable Development.' 5. Policy and Purpose: • Analyze the UK government's response to sustainability in education. 6. Protest or Policy: • Investigate the avenues for social change to address climate change.
7. Changing Practices: • Identify practical steps to develop sustainability in the classroom and beyond. 8. Waste or Replace: • Examine resource utilization in education and explore sustainable alternatives. 9. Navigating Climate Change Information: • Understand how to access meaningful and accurate information in a fastmoving and contentious field. 10. Manifestos for Change: • Analyze manifestos for sustainability in education, such as the BERA manifesto.
Support Sessions: Monday 3-4pm UC219 •
Weekly sessions covering podcasts, media for dissemination, technology skills, journal papers/film analysis, and assignment support.
Module Outcomes: Upon completion of this module, you will: • • • •
Recognize and discuss frameworks, models, definitions, and approaches to sustainable education. Identify and develop a case study on innovative solutions related to sustainable education. Create a media presentation showcasing your understanding of sustainability models and frameworks. Develop critical thinking around the interconnection between global and local knowledge in action.
What to Read/ Watch/ Research Select Bibliography: • • • •
BERA (2021). A Manifesto for Education for Educational Sustainability. Department for Education (November 2021). Sustainability & Climate Change: A draft strategy for the education & children’s services systems. Sterling, S. (2011). The Future Fit Framework. UNESCO (2021). Getting every school climate-ready.
Recommended Reading: • •
Azeiteiro, U. & Davim, J.P. (2019). Higher Education and Sustainability. Barth, M., Michelsen, G., Reickmann, M. & Thomas, I. (2016). Routledge Handbook of Higher Education for Sustainable Development.
Further Reading: • •
Han H, and Ahn SW (2020). Youth Mobilization to Stop Global Climate Change: Narratives and Impact. O’Brien, C. (2016). Education for Sustainable Happiness & well-Being.
Journals: •
Discover Education, Journal of Education for Sustainable Development, Journal of Sustainability Education, Sustainability.
Websites: •
SDG Accord, Sustainability Exchange, SEEd Resources, UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development.
Teaching and Learning Strategy: • • • •
Utilize film, podcasts, contemporary documents, literature, and reports. Engage in debate, presentations, and construction of arguments. Encourage curiosity through local and global examples. Emphasize real-world applications through visits, guest lectures, and community research.
Assessment Strategy: Formative: • • •
Debates, teacher-led, and peer assessments. Media-based and in-class activities for ongoing assessment. Technology-enhanced quizzes for critical skill development.
Summative: 1. Multimedia Presentation: • 1500-word equivalent podcast/media presentation on Sustainable Education (50%). 2. Case Study: • 1500-word case study on a sustainable education solution (50%).
Assignment One: Multimedia Presentation
Assignment Two: Case Study
Contact Details Module Lead: Dr Peter Shukie Peter.shukie@blackburn.ac.uk 01254 292509 For cross-college initiatives in sustainability, please contact: Blackburn College Energy and Sustainability Officer: Sophie Barnes Sophie.barnes@blackburn.ac.uk 01254 292493