Initially, during Task 2C, I had shared this diagram to highlight my understanding of Learning for Sustainability.
I had initially thought that I might focus on Outdoor Learning and integrating this into the curriculum as opposed to seeing it as an add on. Whilst I still think this has purpose and will endevour to develop this within my practice, my thinking has now developed to a further point of focus for my enquiry.
I recently shared my learning by leading a CAT session for colleagues on Learning for Sustainability and in my preparation for this came across this TedTalks Video that summed up my way of thinking perfectly. Whilst considering the task at the beginning of this video I reflected on the purpose of education and this linked me to the four capacities in Curriculum for Excellence and how they support the overall purpose of education. The four capacities sit at the heart of CfE and equally LfS link with these and support education from the core to provide our learners with the skills they need for a sustainable future.
In order to achieve LfS at the heart of the curriculum there needs to be a shift in mindset from seeing Sustainability as simple switching the light out and recycling some scrap paper. It needs to be ‘lived’ and pupils need to develop sustainable skills for life that can apply to jobs and problems in the future which currently don’t exist. I aim to focus my enquiry on creating a sustainable mindset for pupils to enable them to live in a way to attempt to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and beyond. This will link the Children’s Rights in the Sustainable Goals to their responsibilities in achieving them and look at how this develops their skills for life.
Your enquiry is turning in interesting directions, Faye! Are you envisaging you will use the sustainable development goals with your class and if so, would you focus on one – or a small number – at a time? And would you also be looking at DYW skills? Might be an interesting combination…
Hi Faye
I watched the Ted Talk – thanks for that!
Like Emma, I’m curious to see how you’ll approach this with the children. All 4 sectors on the diagram look like good starting points and I wonder if you’re following the Ted Talk model of starting with an Eco committee / drive… which might tie in with your interest in Outdoor learning…
Hi Faye,
Now that the team have uploaded some people’s areas of interest I see that we share some common ground on LfS. I have also completed the CC Edinburgh University course and found it to be a helpful refresh of many of the skills and values for LfS.
I see that you have been following #teachSDGs and wondered if you had ever made contact with Scotdec or local (Edinburgh) Global Education Learning provider? Or indeed if you have seen the fantastic work the Wood Foundation run for Global Learning partnerships.
They have so many amazing free resources and I have even had scotdec out to help run focus groups with staff on lfs. This may be helpful when it comes to measuring the impact of your PA.
Anyway all the best – let me know if you’d like some contacts/ links
Jacklyn Rennie
Hi Jacklyn,
Thanks for the tips. There seems to be a lot out there and I’m yet to explore a lot of these. I will look into the organisations you have suggested. But may come calling on you again for some advice.
Thanks!
Faye