Author: Y. McBlain

Professional Learning available by Scotdec

 

ScotdecFalkirk practitioners can take advantage of the wide range of continuing professional learning opportunities provided by the Scottish Development in Education Centre for Learning for Sustainability. Falkirk CPD Manager makes it easy to sign up for these free training sessions and previous evaluations by teachers have been very positive. Use the links below for more information. Sign up in the usual way using the course codes to help you.

Global learning, sustainable learning: how is it going with you? 26th November 2016, a location of your choice! LfS14

Done Fairtrade? Tried out an issues tree? Like pupil participation? Keen to make local to global connections?

This GLOW meet is all about sharing good practice in Global Citizenship, thinking about how it supports Learning for Sustainability and finding out what further resources and support are available to you and your schools. Click here for the flyer

Fairtrade Christmas – 3rd December, Camelon Education Centre, LfS 10

A professional learning workshop to reflect on Fairtrade within the context of Christmas, our consumer habits and Human Rights Click here for the flyer

Sustainable living: food, phones and fashion – 14th January 2016, Camelon Education Centre, LfS 13

What do you know about how your mobile phone, your food and your clothes were produced? Who made them? What kind of life do they have? What impact did its production have on the environment? 

Click here for the flyer

Global Citizenship: planning for active and participatory learning 10th & 17th March 2016,  Camelon Education Centre, LfS 09

This course offers a practical approach to planning for a Global Citizenship approach to learning in the classroom us an active learning approach. This is a 2 part CPD followed by a Showcase and reflection on 28 April 2016 where participants will have an opportunity to share good practice with other practitioners.

On 28th April 2016, there will also be a special Learning for Sustainability event where we will celebrate the classroom practice which has taken place following this professional learning – sign up using LfS 15. Signposts for Global Citizenship, has an extensive range resources and ideas for many aspects of Learning for Sustainability.

What is Learning for Sustainability?

Wordle Education Scotland defines Learning for sustainability (LfS)  as: “an approach to learning, life and work. It enables learners, educators, schools and their wider communities to build a socially-just, sustainable and equitable society. An effective whole school and community approach to LfS weaves together global citizenship, sustainable development education, outdoor learning and children’s rights to create coherent, rewarding and transformative learning experiences.”

All of the recommendations of the December 2012 Learning for Sustainability Report (click to view) were accepted by the Scottish Government in March 2013. (click to link to doc) The Government response says:

The approach recommended supports a whole-school approach, encompassing the curriculum, campus, culture and community of the school and is intended to complement and strengthen wider changes in education.

Language around learning for sustainability is consistent with the new GTCS professional standards and highlights the value of a holistic approach to sustainable development, global citizenship and outdoor learning. The Group has defined Learning for Sustainability as:

A whole school approach that enables the school and its wider community to build the values, attitudes, knowledge, skills and confidence needed to develop practices and take decisions which are compatible with a sustainable and equitable society.

The report contains 31 recommendations, including the 5 overarching recommendations below:

  1. All learners should have an entitlement to learning for sustainability
  2. In line with the new GTCS Professional Standards, every practitioner, school and education leader should demonstrate learning for sustainability in their practice
  3. Every school should have a whole school approach to learning for sustainability that is robust, demonstrable, evaluated and supported by leadership at all levels
  4. School buildings, grounds and policies should support learning for sustainability
  5. A strategic national approach tosupporting learning for sustainability should be established

The wordle image above communicates all of the elements of learning and teaching which could be involved in Learning for Sustainability.