Nobody is perfect: Three Myths That Sabotage Sustainability Education -and How to Dismantle Them
Journal
lehrblick. Inspirationen für gute Hochschullehre
Type
digital resource
Date Issued
2026-02-12
Author(s)
Abstract
Myths in and about sustainability education (MYTHSE) are abundant in higher education, yet unlike general educational myths they remain a blind spot: less visible, less tangible, and far less challenged. Some of them are surprisingly convincing: they sound modern, moral, or even progressive. Yet confronting them matters. Research shows that simply stating the facts is not enough. Poorly designed myth-busting can even backfire by reinforcing the very ideas it seeks to dispel (Siegel, 2025b; Zanartu et al., 2024). To address three of the most persistent teacher and teaching-related MYTHSE, I use the evidence-based truth-sandwich method. So, let’s begin our myth-busting menu — three courses of sustainability teaching myths, served with evidence and reflection. Ready to take a bite?
Language
English
Keywords
myth
sustainability education
debunking
prebunking
mythbusting
mythbuster
MYTHSE
higher education
teaching
learning
ESD
truth sandwich
fact
fallacy
inoculation
mental immunity
questionable beliefs
reflection
professionalism
Dr. Stefan T. Siegel
educational myths
direct instruction
barrier
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
Refereed
Yes
Pages
7
Official URL
Division(s)
Contact Email Address
stefan.siegel@unisg.ch
File(s)![Thumbnail Image]()
open.access
Name
Siegel 2026 Lehrblick 3 MYTHSE Debunked engl.pdf
Size
679.61 KB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
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