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Exploring Student Engagement in Sustainability Education and Study Abroad

Author

Listed:
  • Michael Tarrant

    (Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA)

  • Stephen Schweinsberg

    (Business School, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo 2006, Australia)

  • Adam Landon

    (Division of Fish and Wildlife, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul, MN 55155, USA)

  • Stephen L. Wearing

    (Business School, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo 2006, Australia)

  • Matthew McDonald

    (Psychology Program, Fulbright University Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam)

  • Donald Rubin

    (Departments of Communication Studies and Language and Literacy Education, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA)

Abstract

This paper specifically outlines an investigation of the influence of sustainability education and study abroad coursework on levels of a key component of academic success, student engagement. A quasi-experimental design compared pretest and posttest levels of engagement (measured by the Deep Learning Scale) among undergraduate students enrolled in four types of courses). Data were analyzed using a repeated measures MANOVA and supported two significant 2-way interactions (Sustainability * Time and Study Abroad * Time) suggesting that student engagement (Deep Learning) is more likely to increase with sustainability (than non-sustainability) courses and with study abroad (than non-study abroad/campus courses). Findings provide empirical support for university initiatives that seek to incorporate sustainability coursework and study abroad opportunities into the undergraduate curriculum as means to enhance students’ overall engagement and academic success. The paper provides insights into where sustainability education and study abroad courses have broad potential to promote engagement and, as such, should be considered part of the general learning requirement of university education. In terms of study limitations, the sample is drawn from one university and self-selection bias is possible for students choosing to enroll in study abroad and sustainability-focused courses.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Tarrant & Stephen Schweinsberg & Adam Landon & Stephen L. Wearing & Matthew McDonald & Donald Rubin, 2021. "Exploring Student Engagement in Sustainability Education and Study Abroad," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-14, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:22:p:12658-:d:680525
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. John Cusick, 2009. "Study abroad in support of education for sustainability: a New Zealand case study," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 11(4), pages 801-813, August.
    2. Brack W. Hale, 2019. "Wisdom for Traveling Far: Making Educational Travel Sustainable," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-12, May.
    3. Simon Ling & Adam Landon & Michael Tarrant & Donald Rubin, 2021. "The Influence of Instructional Delivery Modality on Sustainability Literacy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-15, September.
    4. Brack W. Hale, 2021. "Educating for the Environment: The Role of the Host Destination in Education Travel Programs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-17, July.
    5. Tribe, John & Paddison, Brendan, 2021. "Degrees of change: Activating philosophic practitioners," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    6. Schweinsberg, Stephen & Fennell, David & Hassanli, Najmeh, 2021. "Academic dissent in a post COVID-19 world," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    7. Ivan Montiel & Peter Jack Gallo & Raquel Antolin-Lopez, 2020. "What on Earth Should Managers Learn About Corporate Sustainability? A Threshold Concept Approach," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 162(4), pages 857-880, April.
    8. Su-Lan Pan & Ju Chou & Alastair M. Morrison & Wen-Shiung Huang & Meng-Chen Lin, 2018. "Will the Future Be Greener? The Environmental Behavioral Intentions of University Tourism Students," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-17, February.
    9. Hongping Zhang & Heather J. Gibson, 2021. "Long-Term Impact of Study Abroad on Sustainability-Related Attitudes and Behaviors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-20, February.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Brack W. Hale, 2022. "Educational Travel Programs, Sustainability, and the Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-3, February.
    3. Tomasz Bradecki & Anyeley Hallova & Michal Stangel, 2022. "Concretization of Sustainable Urban Design Education in the Project Based Learning Approach—Experiences from a Fulbright Specialist Project," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-16, June.

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