Web-based stand-alone sustainability module

Prepared by: Kea Cheng Tan

Project’s Aim & Objectives

Aim:

To prepare the groundwork for the development of a web-based stand-alone sustainability module for use within Newcastle University.

• • • •

Objectives:

To identify the current situation at Newcastle University with respect to teaching and learning sustainability.

To identify the drivers for the web-based stand-alone sustainability module development.

To identify existing stand-alone sustainability modules offered by other HE Institutions. To identify teaching and learning methods involved in the sustainability module.

Gap Analysis

• • • • • No reference to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in University’s Vision 2021, Environmental Sustainability Policy, Strategy for Environmental Sustainability, Teaching and Learning Strategy Lack of evidence that sustainability was embedded in teaching and learning (People and Planet) Lack of coordination among teaching modules related sustainability Sustainable development is highlighted in research (NIReS), and in practical implementation (Estate Support Service) Need a focus for teaching – other universities do have all three strands (research, practical implementation and education) for sustainable development

Project Outcomes To Date

• • • • • Looked at what other HE Institutes have done Existing modules and courses mapped Formulation of module delivery format and contents (QuILT) Wider participants involvement for module development and to agree cross-curriculum learning outcomes mapping (All 3 faculties, ESS etc ) Project ends July – module will not be finished by then

University of Bristol’s Experience

• • • • • • • Dedicated Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) unit No pre-requisite and optional to undergraduates (20 credits) Developed cross-institutional (representative from each school) Teaching subjects Identified and assigned to relevant personnel Conventional lectures, interdisciplinary tutorials, seminars and examination Blackboard – lectures’ notes, online discussion Mapped existing modules against learning outcomes

University of Southampton’s Experience

• • • • No pre-requisite and optional to undergraduates (15 credits) Team-teaching (contributions from each faculty’s lecturers) Conventional lecture + Blackboard (lecture notes and recorded lecture) Individual & group assignment (case study workshop + discussion seminar + debate + development of wiki-sites)

City University London’s Experience

• • • • Online micro module on sustainability No assessment Introduction to sustainability, sustainability issues (e.g. food, energy, climate change, etc.) Focus on sustainability in informatics & sustainability in engineering • • • http://www.soi.city.ac.uk/~sbbf140/sust/food_home.html

Research on existing interactive applications relating to sustainability, general and commercial “green” websites Students workshop  students’ vision module Formative evaluation and prototyping  Implementation

Programmes related to sustainability according to school (UG)

6 5 2 1 4 3 0 2006 2009 2012 AFRD 5 5 4 APL 0 1 1 Bio 0 2 3 CEAM 1 2 2 CEG 0 0 2 GPS 2 4 3 MSE 0 0 3 MST 2 3 3

Programmes related to sustainability according to school (PG)

20 18 16 14 12 10 4 2 8 6 0 2006 2009 2012 AFRD 7 7 6 APL 4 2 13 BBTC 0 0 1 Bio 0 0 1 CEAM CEG 2 2 4 6 8 18 ECLS 0 0 1 GPS 0 4 11 IHSo 0 0 1 MS 0 0 1 MST 2 4 9 NLS 1 1 3 SAgE 1 2 2

Modules related to sustainability, 2012

80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 UG AFRD APL 17 3 PG 17 6 BIO CEAM CEG 5 4 8 0 16 16 GPS 6 3 MST 4 2 NLS NUBS SAgE Total 1 4 0 52 5 0 7 72

Meeting with Relevant Personnel (I)

• • • Supervisor – Dr. Sue Haile Sustainability Team – Estate Support Service (Practical and Implementation) – Matt Dunlop (Energy manager) – Hannah Munro (Sustainability officer) – Sean Jobling (Environmental Management System assistant) Certificate in Advanced Studies in Academic Practice (CASAP) – Dr. Oliver Heidrich (School of Civil Engineering and Geoscience)

Meeting with Relevant Personnel (II)

• • Module setup (pedagogical & technical issue) – Lydia Wysocki (QuILT Education development and e learning team) – Mike Cameron (QuILT Education development and e learning team) Possible support – Prof. Jane Calvert (Undergraduate Dean of Faculty of Medical Science)

Recommendations for NCL’s stand alone Sustainability Module

• • • • • No pre-requisites Optional Possible CPD certification or a participation certification or credit bearing Cross-institutional (contribution of staff from different school) User’s feedback and periodical formal review

Example of Module Contents

• • • • • • • • General quiz on sustainability Crosswords and video clips on sustainability topic Carbon footprint , eco and water footprint Overview of Eco-Campus Waste and Recycling Energy & building Biodiversity Ethics and society

Possible Assessment Methods

• • • • Includes a combination of: Project (involving practical, teamwork) Computer assessment (e.g. quiz, test, MCQ) Online forum/discussion board Portfolio

Q & A (I)

• • Who is the audience for the web-based module?

(Anyone but could be customised

for UG, PG, staff)

Is it to help Eco Campus? (e.g. switch off the light, heating policy)? Or is this an academic module?

(Both- awareness raising but also

specific information)

Q & A (II)

• • • Who owns the module? The maintenance of module?

(Suggest to have an ESD unit with module team)

What graphical interface will be used ?

(Suggest to use blackboard for ease of use and maintenance)

Is enrolment to the module voluntary?

(Yes, and optional)

Thank you