Developing Awareness and Attitude Towards Sustainability Through an Activity-Based Intervention

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7160/eriesj.2022.150402

Keywords:

Activity-based module, Attitude, Awareness, Economic, Environmental, Intervention, Social, Sustainability

Abstract

The present study intended to examine the impact of an activity-based intervention on the attitude and awareness of adolescents towards sustainability and its dimensions using a quasi-experimental research design. A cluster sample of 99 participants, experimental and control groups comprising of 50 and 49 school students, was selected for the present study. The investigators constructed and standardized an activity-based module for conducting the intervention, awareness test and attitude scale for sustainability. The module was used to teach the treatment group regarding concepts related to sustainability. However, the lecture method was used to teach the control group. Both groups were taught for a duration of four weeks. The results of the analysis of covariance revealed a positive and significant impact of the activity-based module for sustainable development on the awareness and attitude of school students towards sustainability and its dimensions. Implications of these results are discussed with regard to curricular and pedagogical concerns at the school level in India.

References

Aydın, S. and Keles, P. U (2021) ‘Teachers Candidates’ Awareness of Sustainable Development’, Shanlax International Journal of Education, Vol. 9, No. S1, pp. 221–227. https://doi.org/10.34293/education.v9iS1-May.4015

Badea, L., Serban-Oprescu, G. L., Dedu S. and Piroscă, G. I. (2020) ‘The Impact of Education for Sustainable Development on Romanian Economics and Business Students’ Behavior’, Sustainability, Vol. 12, No. 19, 8169. http://doi.org/10.3390/su12198169

Birdman, J., Wiek, A. and Lang, D. J. (2022) ‘Developing Key Competencies in Sustainability through Project-based Learning in Graduate Sustainability Programs’, International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 23, No. 5, pp. 1139–1157. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-12-2020-0506

Burek, C. and Bonwick, G. (2010) ‘A Novel Example of Cross Discipline Education for Sustainable Development in Higher Education in UK: Gender Differences’, Proceedings of the 30th Triennial IFUW Conference, Mexico City.

Burgan, B. A. and Sansom, M. R. (2006) ‘Sustainable Steel Construction’, Journal of Constructional Steel Research, Vol. 62, No. 11, pp. 1178–1183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2006.06.029

Chaudhari, U. (2013) ‘Education for Holistic and Sustainable Development’, University News, Vol. 51, No. 01, pp.1–29.

Corazza, L., Cottafava, D. and Torchia, D. (2022) ‘Education for sustainable development: a critical reflexive discourse on a transformative learning activity for business students’, Environment, Development and Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-022-02335-1

Estrada-Vidal, L. I. and Tójar-Hurtado, J.-C. (2017) ‘College Student Knowledge and Attitudes related to Sustainability Education and Environmental Health’, Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, Vol. 237, pp. 386–392. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2017.02.030

Glavič, P. (2020) ‘Identifying Key Issues of Education for Sustainable Development’, Sustainability, Vol. 12, No. 16, 6500. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12166500

George, C. (2007) ‘Sustainable Development and Global Governance’, The Journal of Environment and Development, Vol. 16, No. 1, pp. 102–125. https://doi.org/10.11772F1070496506298147

Gobar Times (2003) ‘Eye Opening Ecological Facts’, Down to Earth, Vol. 12, no.3, pp. 62.

Harjai, J. (2008) Effectiveness of Experiential Learning Strategies for Enhancing Environmental Awareness and Sensitivity among Primary School Students with Internal and External Locus of Control, [PhD thesis], Chandigarh: Panjab University.

Incekara, S. and Tuna, F. (2011) ‘Attitudes of Secondary School Students towards Environmental and Sustainable Development Issues: A Case Study from Turkey’, African Journal of Biotechnology, Vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 21–27.

Kalathaki, M. (2017) ‘Ensuring Active Participation in School Projects: A Reflection Case Study in the Framework of Education for the Sustainable Development’, Journal of Social Science Studies, Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 57–72.

Kilinc, A. and Aydin, A. (2013) ‘Turkish Student Science Teachers’ Conceptions of Sustainable Development: A Phenomenography’, International Journal of Science Education, Vol. 35, No. 5, pp. 731–752. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2011.574822

Krishna, S. H., Ilankumaran, G., Balakrishnan, C., Aute, K. and Patil, S. R. (2022) ‘Knowledge, Perception and Awareness about Sustainable Development Goals among Students of Indian Public University’, Journal of Positive School Psychology, Vol. 6, No. 5, pp. 2501–2511.

Kioupi V. and Voulvoulis N. (2019) ‘Education for Sustainable Development: A Systemic Framework for Connecting the SDGs to Educational Outcomes’, Sustainability, Vol. 11, No. 21, 6104. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11216104

Laurie, R., Nonoyama-Tarumi, Y., Mckeown, R. and Hopkins, C. (2016) ‘Contributions of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) to Quality Education: A Synthesis of Research’, Journal of Education for Sustainable Development, Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 226–242. https://doi.org/10.1177/0973408216661442

Michael, F. L., Sumilan, H., Bandar, N., Hamidi, H., Jonathan, V. and Norsyamimi, M. N. N. (2020) ‘Sustainable Development Concept Awareness among Students in Higher Education: A Preliminary Study’, Journal of Sustainability Science and Management, Vol. 15, No. 7, pp. 113–122. http://doi.org/10.46754/jssm.2020.10.011

Moganadas, S. R., Subramaniam, S., Nun, S. H. and Bahaman, A. S. (2020) ‘Campus Sustainability: Measuring Awareness of Sustainable Development Dimensions among Educators in Malaysian University’, International Journal of Education, Psychology and Counseling, Vol. 5, No. 3, pp.10–26. https://doi.org/10.35631/ijepc.537002

Msengi, I., Doe, R., Wilson, T., Fowler, D., Wigginton, C., Olorunyomi, S., Banks, I. and Morel, R. (2019) ‘Assessment of Knowledge and Awareness of Sustainability Initiatives among College Students’, Renewable Energy Environmental Sustainability, Vol. 4, 6, pp. 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1051/rees/2019003

Nicolaou, I. and Conlon, E. (2012) ‘What do Final Year Engineering Students know about Sustainable Development?’ European Journal of Engineering Education, Vol. 37, No. 3, pp. 267–277. https://doi.org/10.1080/03043797.2012.681863

Nousheen, A., Zai, S. A. Y., Waseem, M. and Khan, S. A. (2020) ‘Education for sustainable development (ESD): Effects of sustainability education on pre-service teachers’ attitude towards sustainable development (SD)’, Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 250, 119537. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119537

Novieastari, E., Pujasari, H., Abdul Rahman, L., Ganefianty, A. and Rerung, M. (2022) ‘Knowledge, Perception and Awareness about Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) among Students of a Public University in Indonesia’, International Journal of Health Promotion and Education, advance online publication, Vol. 60, No. 4, pp. 195–203. https://doi.org/10.1080/14635240.2022.2066557

Olsson, D. and Gericke, N. (2016) ‘The Adolescent Dip in Students' Sustainability Consciousness—Implications for Education for Sustainable Development’, The Journal of Environmental Education, Vol. 47, No. 1, pp. 35–51. https://doi.org/10.1080/00958964.2015.1075464

Olsson, D., Gericke, N. and Chang Rundgren, S.-N. (2016), The Effect of Implementation of Education for Sustainable Development in Swedish Compulsory Schools – Assessing Pupils’ Sustainability Consciousness’, Environmental Education Research, Vol. 22, No. 2, pp. 176–202. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2015.1005057

Olsson, D., Gericke, N. and Boeve-de Pauw, J. (2022) ‘The effectiveness of education for sustainable development revisited – a longitudinal study on secondary students’ action competence for sustainability’, Environmental Education Research, Vol. 28, No. 3, pp. 405–429. http://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2022.2033170

Patra, A. and Panda, P. S. (2017) ‘Environmental Awareness on Sustainable Development of Secondary Students in Bankura, West Bengal’, International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews, Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 96–100.

Paul, P. K. and Mehera, C. (2016) ‘Impacts of Education on Sustainable Development: A Micro Study in Burdwan District of West Bengal, India’, American Journal of Educational Research, Vol. 4, No. 7, pp. 551–555.

Sarma, M. (2017) ‘Environmental Education for Sustainable Development: A Study Conducted in the Schools of Greater Guwahati, Assam’, International Journal of Civil, Structural, Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering Research and Development, Vol. 7, No. 4, pp. 9–14. http://dx.doi.org/10.24247/ijcseierdaug20172

Segalàs, J., Ferrer-Balas, D. and Mulder, K. F. (2008) ‘Conceptual maps: Measuring Learning Processes of Engineering Students Concerning Sustainable Development’, European Journal of Engineering Education, Vol. 33, No. 3, pp. 297–306. https://doi.org/10.1080/03043790802088616

Sims, L. and Falkenberg, T. (2013) ‘Developing Competencies for Education for Sustainable Development: A Case Study of Canadian Faculties of Education’, International Journal of Higher Education, Vol. 2, No. 4, pp. 1–14. https://doi.org/10.5430/ijhe.v2n4p1

Sonwane, J. (2010) ‘Evolving a Learning Design by Peer Groups: An Innovative Experimental Study for Learner Centered Education for Sustainable Development’, The CTE National Journal, Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 128–131.

Strange, T. and Bayley, A. (2008) Sustainable development: Linking economy, society, environment, Paris: OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264055742-en

UNESCO (1992) Agenda 21, chapter 36, Promoting education, public awareness and training, [Online], http://www.un-documents.net/a21-36.htm [31 Mar 2013].

Uzunboylu, H., Cavus, N. and Ercag, E. (2009) ‘Using Mobile Learning to Increase Environmental Awareness’, Computers & Education, Vol. 52, No. 2, pp. 381–389. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2008.09.008

Walshe, N. (2017) ‘An Interdisciplinary Approach to Environmental and Sustainability Education: Developing Geography Students’ Understandings of Sustainable Development Using Poetry’, Environmental Education Research, Vol. 23, No. 8, pp. 1130–1149. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2016.1221887

Wamsler, C. (2020) ‘Education for Sustainability: Fostering a More Conscious Society and Transformation towards Sustainability’, International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 21, No. 1, pp. 112–130. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-04-2019-0152

Yuan, X., Yu, L., Wu, H., She, H., Luo, J. and Li, X. (2022) ‘Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Priorities of Senior High School Students and Global Public: Recommendations for Implementing Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)’, Education Research International, 2555168, pp. 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/2555168

Žalėnienė, I. and Pereira, P. (2021) ‘Higher Education For Sustainability: A Global Perspective’, Geography and Sustainability, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 99–106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geosus.2021.05.001

Additional Files

Published

2022-12-20

How to Cite

Kaur, J. and Kaur, K. (2022) ’Developing Awareness and Attitude Towards Sustainability Through an Activity-Based Intervention ’, Journal on Efficiency and Responsibility in Education and Science, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 212–220. https://doi.org/10.7160/eriesj.2022.150402

Issue

Section

Research Paper