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Integrating Sustainability into Higher Education Curricula through the Project Method, a Global Learning Strategy

Author

Listed:
  • M. Teresa Fuertes-Camacho

    (Faculty of Education, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08017 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Mariona Graell-Martín

    (Faculty of Education, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08017 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Mariana Fuentes-Loss

    (Faculty of Education, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08017 Barcelona, Spain)

  • M. Carmen Balaguer-Fàbregas

    (Faculty of Education, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08017 Barcelona, Spain)

Abstract

Higher levels of material well-being lead almost inevitably to giving priority to individualism and personal advancement, often at the expense of civic conscience. A proposal for integrating sustainability into the curriculum is presented in the third year of the degree in Early Childhood Education at the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC). Projects on sustainable food are planned and elaborated to this aim. This study seeks to apply a global and systemic approach to solving socio-environmental problems and to check whether education for sustainable development (ESD) helps to develop and encourage actions that promote sustainable development. Quantitative research was conducted using a pre-test/post-test quasi experimental design separated by a period of didactic training in the project method. The results presented in this article show the students’ sustainability competencies (SC) improve after working on didactic proposals in a global manner. It is concluded that elaborating competencies in education for sustainable development enables an integrated approach of knowledge, procedures, attitudes and values in teaching through promoting the project method in multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary teams, which enhances future teachers’ sustainability competencies.

Suggested Citation

  • M. Teresa Fuertes-Camacho & Mariona Graell-Martín & Mariana Fuentes-Loss & M. Carmen Balaguer-Fàbregas, 2019. "Integrating Sustainability into Higher Education Curricula through the Project Method, a Global Learning Strategy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-25, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:3:p:767-:d:202753
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    7. Jordi Colomer & Teresa Serra & Dolors Cañabate & Remigijus Bubnys, 2020. "Reflective Learning in Higher Education: Active Methodologies for Transformative Practices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-8, May.
    8. Vasiliki Kioupi & Nikolaos Voulvoulis, 2020. "Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Assessing the Contribution of Higher Education Programmes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-17, August.
    9. Francisco D. Guillén-Gámez & Lina Higueras-Rodríguez & Marta Medina-García, 2020. "Developing a Regression Model of Cooperative Learning Methodology in Pre-Service Teacher Education: A Sustainable Path for Transition to Teaching Profession," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-13, March.
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    11. Fatma Fourati-Jamoussi & Michel J. F. Dubois & Marie Chedru & Geoffroy Belhenniche, 2021. "Education for Sustainable Development and Innovation in Engineering School: Students’ Perception," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-13, May.
    12. Birgitta Nordén & Helen Avery, 2021. "Global Learning for Sustainable Development: A Historical Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-31, March.
    13. Chambers Ian & Roberts John & Urbaniak Suzy & Gibson David & Durant Graham & Cerini Bobby & Maulloo Aman & Kamudu Applasawmy Bhamini & Barrett Rees & Nelson Charles & Robson Heather & Sangha Kamaljit , 2019. "Education for Sustainable Development: A Study in Adolescent Perception Changes Towards Sustainability Following a Strategic Planning-Based Intervention—The Young Persons’ Plan for the Planet Program," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-20, October.
    14. Julia Lohmann & Jennifer Breithecker & Ulrike Ohl & Petra Gieß-Stüber & Hans Peter Brandl-Bredenbeck, 2021. "Teachers’ Professional Action Competence in Education for Sustainable Development: A Systematic Review from the Perspective of Physical Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-26, December.
    15. Marcel Bassachs & Teresa Serra & Remigijus Bubnys & Dolors Cañabate & Jordi Colomer, 2022. "Multimodal Approaches to Math and Physical Education within Cooperative Learning to Enhance Social Attitudes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-16, December.
    16. Miguel Jesús López Serrano & Rafael Guerrero Elecalde, 2022. "Narratives as a Didactic Resource in the Social Sciences to Teach Sustainable Development: A Study with Primary Education Students," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-15, June.
    17. Carla Farinha & Sandra Caeiro & Ulisses Azeiteiro, 2019. "Sustainability Strategies in Portuguese Higher Education Institutions: Commitments and Practices from Internal Insights," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-25, June.
    18. Dolors Cañabate & Teresa Serra & Remigijus Bubnys & Jordi Colomer, 2019. "Pre-Service Teachers’ Reflections on Cooperative Learning: Instructional Approaches and Identity Construction," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-18, October.
    19. Rebeka Kovačič Lukman & Vasja Omahne & Lobna Tag el Sheikh & Peter Glavič, 2021. "Integrating Sustainability into Logistics Oriented Education in Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-24, February.
    20. Fatma Fourati-Jamoussi & Michel J.F. Dubois & Marie Chedru & Geoffroy Belhenniche, 2021. "Education for Sustainable Development and Innovation in Engineering School: Students’ Perception," Post-Print hal-03245437, HAL.
    21. Dolors Cañabate & Maria Luisa Garcia-Romeu & Anna Menció & Lluís Nogué & Marta Planas & Joan Solé-Pla, 2020. "Cross-Disciplinary Analysis of Cooperative Learning Dimensions Based on Higher Education Students’ Perceptions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-17, October.

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