DCU Home | Our Courses | Loop | Registry | Library | Search DCU
<< Back to Module List

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title Education for Sustainable Development
Module Code EDU1077 (ITS: ES105)
Faculty STEM Ed, Innov, Global Studies School DCU Institute of Education
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 10
Description

The purpose of this module is to foster learning of sustainable development and education for sustainable development, while also enabling learners to design and develop learning activities within the theme of Education for Sustainable development. Learners will engage in a series of lectures and tutorials that will enable discussion and critical reflection on core concepts within Sustainable Development/ Education for Sustainable Development. Learners may also be attend seminars (online or face-to-face) on key topics within Education for Sustainable Development (such as Climate Change, Human Rights, Biodiversity, Gender Equality) where such seminars become available.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain historical context of Sustainable Development Goals 2030, as well as concepts of and challenges to Sustainable Development/ Education for Sustainable Development
2. Demonstrate the capacity to critically reflect on potential solutions to challenges within sustainability/ education for sustainability
3. Source and critically review online materials and other resources that can be effectively integrated within Education for Sustainable Development
4. Design learning activities within the theme of Sustainable Development/ Education for Sustainable development that can be implemented within the context of adult and/ or further education.
5. Critically reflect on own learning about Education for Sustainable Development


WorkloadFull time hours per semester
TypeHoursDescription
Lecture12Online/ In-person lectures
Workshop12Online/ In-person activities within theme of Sustainability/ Education for Sustainability
Assignment Completion120Sourcing Materials, Preparation of Assignment.
Independent Study106Independent study/ Reading around Core themes of Sustainability and discipline of Education for Sustainable Development
Total Workload: 250
Section Breakdown
CRN10541Part of TermSemester 1
Coursework0%Examination Weight0%
Grade Scale40PASSPass Both ElementsY
Resit CategoryRC1Best MarkN
Module Co-ordinatorManuel Fernández LópezModule TeacherCharlotte Holland, Jane O'Kelly, Orna Farrell
Assessment Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
AssignmentIndicative assignment: Part 1: Each student must design a lesson plan (length will be agreed with students) that addresses at least one of the Sustainable Development Goals. The lesson plan must make effective and appropriate use of Internet resources (web-sites/ You-tube Videos/ Internet-based games etc) , to engage and motivate learners in adult and/ or further education within the chosen area. The lecturer will provide further details and the exact description of the assignment after the first lecture. It is expected that students will present on campus.40%n/a
AssignmentPart 2: Individually, each student must complete a series of participatory critical reflections on their own learning on Sustainability and of processes within Education for Sustainable Development, including critical commentary on the key learning points from engagement with in-class activities and extended course-related activities. The work should be connected with their own life and communities, have a futures component on scenarios and visions and have a component of community engagement.45%n/a
AssignmentActivities such as online forums and quizes will take place during both on participatory basis during the classes with presence on campus and online.15%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
RC1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module.
RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element.

* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Theme 1
Sustainability, 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, SDGs, Education for Sustainable Development. a. Historical context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and Education for Sustainable Development - Agenda 21/ UNESCO Decade of Education for Sustainable Development/ Earth Charter/ Millennium Development Goals, Sustainable Development Goals, Agenda 2030. b. Key challenges within sustainability/ education for sustainability. Themes may include, but not limited to: SDGs, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Actions, Human Rights, Sustainable Cities/ Urbanisation, Human Populations, Poverty, Health & Wellbeing, Gender Equality, Inequalities, Consumption and Production, Fast Fashion, The 'Land' Ethic.

Theme 2
Learning about and for Sustainability: Designing and Development of Learning Activities: Overview of how to design learning activities and lesson frames, from aims and learning outcomes, to content, delivery and assessment within the theme of sustainable development. Introduction to learning theories pertinent to Education for Sustainability.

Theme 3
Resourcing materials on Sustainability/ ESD - Authenticating and critiquing SD/ ESD-related materials- Identifying online video-clips that may be appropriate within theme of SD/ESD --Exploring issues of ownership and copyright

Indicative Reading List

Books:
  • Sterling, S.: 2001, Sustainable education: re-visioning learning and change, MAIN COLLECTION 333.7071/STE and Main Collection 333.7071/ST,
  • Ellis, M.: 2018, The critical global educator: global citizenship education as sustainable development. DCU Main Collection 370.116/ELL,
  • Nolet, V.: 2016, Educating for sustainability: principles and practices for teachers, St Pat's Library MAIN COLLECTION 338.927071/NOL and Main Collection 338.927071/NOL,
  • Eames, Chris, ditor; Quinn, Frances, editor; Taylor, Neil,: 2015, Educating for sustainability in primary schools: teaching for the future, MAIN COLLECTION 372.357/TAY and Main Collection 372.357/TAY,
  • Robertson, Margaret: 2014, Sustainability principles and practice, St pat's Library Main Collection 338.927/ROB,
  • Holland, C. & Mulcahy, C.: 2012, Education that Matters, ICT and Development Education, Peter Lang, UK, pp147-178,
  • Parker, K.A. and Bartells: 2012, Teaching sustainability, teaching sustainably, e-book avaialble through DCU Library,
  • Jones, P. , Selby, D. & Sterling, S.: 2010, Sustainability education: perspectives and practice across higher education, Cregan Library – Six available in MAIN COLLECTION 338.43378/JON and Main Collection 338.43378/JON,
  • Stibbe, Arran: 2009, The handbook of sustainability literacy: skills for a changing world,
  • Pavlova, M.: 2008, Technology and Vocational Education for Sustainable Development: Empowering Individuals for the Future (Technical and Vocational Education and Training: Issues, Concerns and Prospects), Springer,
  • K Sandell, K., Ohman, J., L Ostman , L.: 2005, Education for Sustainable Development, Studentlitteratur AB,
  • Nagpal, T & Foltz, C: 1995, Choosing our future : visions of a sustainable world, [Washington, D.C.] : World Resources Institute,
  • Keating, M.: 1993, The Earth Summit's agenda for change : a plain language version of Agenda 21 and the other Rio agreements, Geneva : Centre for our Common Future,
  • Joana Macy: 2022, Active Hope: How to Face the Mess We're in without Going Crazy, 1,


Articles:
  • Department of Education and Skills, Ireland: 2020, ‘Education for Sustainability’ The National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development in Ireland Report of Interim Review and Action Plan for Q4 2018-Q4 2020https://assets.gov.ie/24989/c1a35f7, 522379
  • 2018: Education for Sustainable Development: A study of opportunities and linkages in the primary and post-primary curriculum (Ireland) https://ncca.ie/media/3573/esdreport_final_june2018.pdf, 522380, 2
  • 'Design Criteria for Visual Cues Used in Disruptive Learning Interventions Within Sustainability Education: Journal of Discourse and Communication for Sustainable Education, https://content.sciendo.com/view/journals/dcse/8/2/article-p5.xml, 522381, 2, Tillmanns, T. & Holland, C.
  • https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-47877-7_9: 522382, 2, Besong, F. & Holland, C., 2015, The Dispositions, Abilities and Behaviours (Dab) Framework for Profiling Learners' Sustainability Competencies in Higher Education,
  • 522383: 2, Huckle, J., 2012, Teacher education for sustainability in network society: Combining sustainability and digital literacies,, Journal of Teacher Education for Sustainability,, 14/2, pp. 128-143.,
  • 2: Sterling, S., 2010, ‘Living ‘in’ the Earth – towards an education for our times’,, The Journal of Education for Sustainable Development., Vol 4 no 2,, pp213-218.,
  • United Nations Department of Public Information: 0, EARTH SUMMIT AGENDA 21 The United Nations Programme of Action From Rio., DPI/1344/Rev.1-97-01888-February 1997-5m, 522386
  • 1997: Educating for a Sustainable Future: A Transdisciplinary Vision for Concerted Action. EPD-97/Conf.401/CLD.1., 522387, 2
  • Education, Public Awareness and Training for Sustainability: Input to the Report of the Secretary General to the Second Preparatory Session for the World Summit on Sustainable Development. UNESCO, Par: 522388, 2, UNESCO
Other Resources

  • 1: Website, SDG2030,
  • 419007: 1, Website, COP 28: UN Climate Change Conference,
  • https://www.cop28.com/en/: 419008, 1, Website, Earth Charter
  • http://earthcharter.org/discover/: 419009, 1, Website, ESD Toolkit
  • http://www.esdtoolkit.org/default.htm: 419010, 1, Website, Education and Training Foundation
  • https://www.et-foundation.co.uk/resources/esd/esd-resources/:
Update on transversal skills as agreed and assignment descriptions

<< Back to Module List View 2024/25 Module Record for ES105