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Pedagogies to Achieve Sustainability Learning Outcomes in Civil and Environmental Engineering Students

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  • Angela R. Bielefeldt

    (Department of Civil, Environmental & Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, 428 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309, USA)

Abstract

The civil and environmental engineering disciplines have identified the levels of knowledge about sustainability that are desirable for students to achieve as they graduate with a bachelor’s degree, as well as sustainability-related competencies to be obtained during a master’s degree, and on-the-job, prior to professional licensure. Different pedagogies are better suited to help students attain these levels of cognitive ability, while also developing affective outcomes. This paper provides examples of different methods that have been used at one institution to educate engineering students about sustainability, supported with data that indicates whether the method successfully achieved the targeted learning outcomes. Lectures, in-class active learning, readings, and appropriately targeted homework assignments can achieve basic sustainability knowledge and comprehension by requiring students to define, identify, and explain aspects of sustainability. Case studies and the application of software tools are good methods to achieve application and analysis competencies. Project-based learning (PBL) and project-based service-learning (PBSL) design projects can reach the synthesis level and may also develop affective outcomes related to sustainability. The results provide examples that may apply to a wider range of disciplines and suggest sustainability outcomes that are particularly difficult to teach and/or assess.

Suggested Citation

  • Angela R. Bielefeldt, 2013. "Pedagogies to Achieve Sustainability Learning Outcomes in Civil and Environmental Engineering Students," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 5(10), pages 1-23, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:5:y:2013:i:10:p:4479-4501:d:29721
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Leule M. Hailemariam & Denamo A. Nuramo, 2023. "Examining Challenges in Complying with the Principles of Sustainability for the Design of Urban Bridges in Ethiopia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-27, January.
    2. Ester Gimenez-Carbo & María Esther Gómez-Martín & Ernesto Fenollosa & Marta Cabedo-Fabrés & Eloína Coll-Aliaga & Ignacio Andrés-Doménech & María-Teresa Sebastiá-Frasquet & Maria Vargas & Nuria Pascual, 2021. "Learning Ethical, Environmental and Professional Responsibility at Universitat Politècnica de València. Where Are We?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-18, September.
    3. Ana Nikezić & Dragan Marković, 2015. "Place-Based Education in the Architectural Design Studio: Agrarian Landscape as a Resource for Sustainable Urban Lifestyle," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(7), pages 1-23, July.
    4. Zehui Zhan & Patrick S.W. Fong & Hu Mei & Xuhua Chang & Ting Liang & Zicheng Ma, 2015. "Sustainability Education in Massive Open Online Courses: A Content Analysis Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-27, February.
    5. Julie Milovanovic & Tripp Shealy & Andrew Katz, 2021. "Higher Perceived Design Thinking Traits and Active Learning in Design Courses Motivate Engineering Students to Tackle Energy Sustainability in Their Careers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-14, November.
    6. Roope Husgafvel & Mikko Martikka & Andrade Egas & Natasha Ribeiro & Olli Dahl, 2017. "Development of A Study Module on and Pedagogical Approaches to Industrial Environmental Engineering and Sustainability in Mozambique," International Journal of Higher Education, Sciedu Press, vol. 6(2), pages 1-50, April.
    7. Ian Thomas, 2014. "Special Issue—Pedagogy for Education for Sustainability in Higher Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(4), pages 1-4, April.
    8. Mónica Fernández & Gisela Cebrián & Elisa Regadera & M. Yolanda Fernández, 2020. "Analysing the Relationship between University Students’ Ecological Footprint and Their Connection with Nature and Pro-Environmental Attitude," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-14, November.
    9. Luis Cabedo & Marta Royo & Lidón Moliner & Teresa Guraya, 2018. "University Social Responsibility towards Engineering Undergraduates: The Effect of Methodology on a Service-Learning Experience," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-17, June.
    10. Alicja Szerląg & Arkadiusz Urbanek & Kamila Gandecka, 2021. "Three Strategies for Describing Social Interactions of Adolescents in a Multicultural Environment—Indicators for the Quality of Life Research," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-19, August.
    11. Andrea Micangeli & Vincenzo Naso & Emanuele Michelangeli & Apollonia Matrisciano & Francesca Farioli & Nicola P. Belfiore, 2014. "Attitudes toward Sustainability and Green Economy Issues Related to Some Students Learning Their Characteristics: A Preliminary Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(6), pages 1-20, May.

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