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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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THE FOUR “C”s MODEL

Curriculum

CommunityCampus

Culture

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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

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Students learn to think globally and act locally

“Putting the Pieces Together”