1 working together: curriculum, campus and community prof. brian chalkley director of higher...
TRANSCRIPT
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WORKING TOGETHER: CURRICULUM, CAMPUS
AND COMMUNITY
Prof. Brian ChalkleyDirector of Higher Education Academy Subject Centre for
Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (GEES)University of Plymouth
EAUC CONFERENCE, UNIVERSITY OF EXETER, 31 March – 2 April 2008 “Skills for Sustainability: Putting the Pieces Together”
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THE AIM
To explore some opportunities for
HEI colleagues from different “silos”
to work with each other, join things
up and “put the pieces together” in
the interests of ESD
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HEFCE’S PRIORITY:STUDENTS FIRST
“The greatest contribution higher
education has to make to sustainable
development is by enabling students to
develop new skills and knowledge”
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HIGHER EDUCATION AND THE PLANET
“The destruction of the planet is not the
work of ignorant people. Rather it is
largely the result of work by people with
BAs, BScs, LLBs, MBAs and PhDs.”
(David Orr)
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RECOGNITION OF PREVIOUS EDUCATIONAL FAILINGS
“The volume of education has
increased, yet so have the dangers
of ecological catastrophe. If still
more education is to save us, it will
have to be education of a very
different kind” (Schumacher)
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ESD IS FOR EVERYONE
“Because all people occupy eco-systems, consume resources and produce pollution, all students must understand the importanceof sustainability” (Cortese)
Sustainability can have wide appeal amongst students and staff because it has social, economic, scientific and technologicaldimensions.
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WHAT OPPORTUNITIES DOES THE CAMPUS OFFER FOR ESD?BuildingsEnergyWaterWasteLandscape Travel/transportProcurementCateringStudents and Staff
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LEARNING AND THE CAMPUS
• Social surveys
• Env. audits
• Guest Lectures
• Group projects
• Dissertations
• Assessed exercises
Learning can be ABOUT, FOR or THROUGH the campus
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CAMPUS LEARNING AND THE INFORMAL CURRICULUM
• Student newspapers• Displays and posters• Special events• Exhibitions• Competitions• Campaigns• Volunteering• Signs, landscapes and trails
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WHAT OPPORTUNITIES DOES THE COMMUNITY OFFER FOR ESD?
• HEIs as catalysts for regional change
• Our links to local government, private sector, NGOs, schools etc.
• Education through community engagement
• Student placements, projects, knowledge transfer, fieldwork etc. in the local community
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“PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER”
THE BENEFITS
• Student motivation and interest• Real ‘live’ topics• Experiential learning• Empowering students to make a
difference• Capturing expertise of “support” staff• Joining things up within the institution
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“PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER”
THE BARRIERS
• “Silos” and the lack of existing staff links
• Insufficient time and staff resources
• Student numbers
• Time-scales and logistics
• Confidentiality
• Quality control
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HOW TO ADVANCE THE CAUSE• SD/Env and L & T policies
• Lobby L & T leaders
• Liaise with students
• Annual L & T conference
• Articles in staff magazine
• Champions and trail-blazers
• Work with Educational Development
• Look for opportunities and easy wins