Episode 5 – Marco Rieckmann
Journal
Sustainability Education Podcast
Type
digital resource
Date Issued
2024-08-31
Author(s)
Abstract
In this episode of the Sustainability Education Podcast, Professor Marco Rieckmann identifies common myths, such as the misconception that sustainability education is primarily about environmental issues and the belief that more knowledge automatically leads to behavior change. He advocates for a holistic approach that considers socio-economic factors alongside environmental ones. Rieckmann differentiates between environmental and sustainability education, emphasizing that interpretations of these concepts can vary significantly depending on regional contexts. He discusses the challenges in teacher education, noting that sustainability education is often seen as an "add-on" rather than a perspective that can be integrated into existing curricula. He argues that sustainability should be viewed through a lens that informs all aspects of education rather than as additional content. Cultural and societal factors contributing to these myths are explored, with Rieckmann pointing to traditional views of education as mere knowledge transmission. He underscores the need for a more complex, constructive understanding of education. The role of academic staff development is highlighted as crucial for equipping educators with the necessary competencies to teach sustainability effectively. Rieckmann calls for ongoing capacity building and professional development to ensure meaningful implementation. Finally, the conversation touches on the importance of measuring the outcomes of sustainability education, emphasizing the need for empirical research to assess its effectiveness in changing behaviors and developing competencies. Overall, Rieckmann advocates for a nuanced, context-specific approach to sustainability education that fosters real societal transformation.
Language
English
Keywords
Sustainability
Education
Podcast
Myth
Fact
Evidence
Higher Education
Misconception
Research
Psychology
Learning
Instruction
OER
Expert
Interview
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
Division(s)
Contact Email Address
stefan.siegel@unisg.ch