Effectiveness of education for sustainability: The importance of an action-oriented approach

Wanda Sass*, Sven De Maeyer, Jelle Boeve-de Pauw, Peter van Petegem

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Science education is increasingly integrating a focus on socio-scientific issues. Policy makers and scholars also suggest education for sustainable development (ESD) is important for tackling current and future sustain-ability issues. ESD may foster students’ action competence in sustainable development (ACiSD; knowledgeability, willingness, capacity expectations and outcome expectancy) regarding contributing to sustainability action. However, reports on effectiveness research relating to ACiSD as a learning outcome of action-oriented ESD are scarce. The current study explores (1) how early adolescents perceive their teachers’ ESD implementation and (2) whether perceived ESD (holism, pluralism, and action-orientedness) affects students’ self-reported ACiSD. We administered two questionnaires to 12-16 year-old secondary school students, tapping into (1) their self-reported ACiSD and (2) their perceptions of teachers’ ESD implemen-tation efforts. Students’ ESD perceptions were measured through descrip-tive statistics. Next, multilevel linear models were estimated to explore whether ESD and its components affect students’ ACiSD. Our results suggest students did not distinctly perceive ESD implementation (esp. a participative approach). Holism and action-orientedness were neither perceived to be completely present nor completely missing. However, action-orientedness significantly affected students’ reported ACiSD. While confirming the challenge an ESD implementation poses, our results may support efforts made. Implications for education and teacher develop-ment are discussed.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to) 479-498
Number of pages20
JournalEnvironmental Education Research
Volume30
Issue number4
Early online date27 Jun 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • ESD effectiveness
  • ESD)
  • Education for sustainability (EfS
  • action competence in sustainable development (ACiSD)
  • action-orientedness
  • instructional practices
  • multilevel analysis

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