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Curriculum Change forSustainability, RMIT University
Curriculum Change for Curriculum Change for SustainabilitySustainability
BEECON 2006BEECON 2006
Sarah HoldsworthSarah Holdsworth
Dr. Carolyn HaylesDr. Carolyn Hayles
RMIT University, AustraliaRMIT University, Australia
Curriculum Change forSustainability, RMIT University
The Aims and Objectives of the BELPThe Aims and Objectives of the BELP Project Project
AimTo Introduce Sustainability Principles Into Existing
Curricula.
Objectives• Understand the drivers and barriers for/to curriculum
change; • Action research projects aimed at applying
organisational learning and cultural change processes for embedding sustainability into the curriculum of a university;
• To develop a flexible change framework; and• General recommendations about the types of models
and approaches that can influence organisational learning and change for sustainability.
Curriculum Change forSustainability, RMIT University
School of Global Studies, Social Science and Planning
School of Management
School of Property Construction & Project Management
BELP: Cultural ChangeBELP: Cultural Change
Barriers
Three major barriers to change summarised as a lack of:
· A culture of value or priority given to sustainability;
· Organisational and resource support for staff; and
· Training for academic staff.Cowell, S.J., Hogson, S.B. and Clift, R. (1998). Teamwork for environmental excellence in a university context. Moxen, J. and Strachan, P. A. (1998). Managing Green Teams. Greenleaf Publishing, Broom Hall, pp131-144.
Curriculum Change forSustainability, RMIT University
Project StructureProject Structure
2 Academic SupervisorsEnsured a wide level of engagement across the university
School of Global Studies, Social Science and Planning
Project Coordinator
Developed the project methodology, worked closely with all of the project team, supported the academic champions and developed
resources
2 Academic Champions
representing participating Academic Schools within RMIT
School of Property, Construction School of Management and Project Management
Curriculum Change forSustainability, RMIT University
BELP: CulturalBELP: Cultural ChangeChange
Approach Taken
Change Management: Hinged on the appreciation of the context of each School, where the change process was to take place.
Sustainability was not defined by the project team, but was developed as a concept relevant to each profession/course/academic.
Curriculum Change forSustainability, RMIT University
1. Sustainability Course Audits
2. Action Learning Workshops
3. Action Learning through Research
4. Curriculum Design and Development
BELP: ProjectBELP: Project MethodologyMethodology
Stakeholder Engagement
Creating ownership through understanding
and support.
Curriculum Change forSustainability, RMIT University
What are some of the factors that have hindered incorporation of sustainability content into the courses?
• Lack of case studies
• Personal ignorance
• Time
• Crowded Curriculum
• Student Interest
• Resources (e.g. Funding)
• Nature of specialist content
• Identification of sustainability issues relevant to course subject matter.
• Terms are not clearly understood.
BELP Methodology: Audit Results PCPMBELP Methodology: Audit Results PCPM
Curriculum Change forSustainability, RMIT University
How might the project team assist you to incorporate sustainability content into your
courses?
• Case studies• Role plays• Video clips• Co-teaching/joint supervision• Literature reviews• Access to guest speakers • Better quality research
BELP Methodology: Audit ResultsBELP Methodology: Audit Results cont.cont.
Curriculum Change forSustainability, RMIT University
BELP Methodology: WorkshopsBELP Methodology: Workshops
Workshop Structure:
1. Head of School• Show commitment, support and encouragement for the project • Explain the need for graduate sustainability capabilities within
the School.
2. Internal Speaker• Reinforce the need for sustainability capabilities within
curriculum and the advantages for graduates and the School (in more detail)
3. External Speaker• Discuss the current and future role of sustainability within the
industry• Discuss the need and advantage for graduate capabilities in
sustainability• Provide best practice/inspirational examples
Curriculum Change forSustainability, RMIT University
BELP: Course Design and ImplementationBELP: Course Design and Implementation
Content was structured so that all students at some point would understand some or all of the following:
• How their discipline area and professional practice functioned and affects the natural environment and its contribution to a sustainable economy;
• How their discipline area and professional practice builds social capacity;
• The basic values and core assumptions present in the content and methods of their academic discipline.
(Adapted from Clugston, R. & Clader, W. 1999)
Curriculum Change forSustainability, RMIT University
Scientific Complexity
vs.
Reductionism
Student understanding that human actions have complex environmental
and normative consequences
BELP: Course Design and ImplementationBELP: Course Design and Implementation
Curriculum Change forSustainability, RMIT University
BELP: Course Design and ImplementationBELP: Course Design and Implementation
Personalising the experience
• Problem-solving approaches: so that students understand the difference between current practice, resource efficient approaches and new systems thinking in their chosen professions.
• Case studies and guest lectures to demonstrate concepts and tools: teaching approaches to design and management decision-making as well as the tools and techniques for solving problems and finding solutions.
Curriculum Change forSustainability, RMIT University
BELP: Course Design and ImplementationBELP: Course Design and Implementation
Teaching ApproachesPersonalising the experience
Move from traditional lecture style hands on approach
Incorporation of web-based educational tools eg. Ecological Footprint, Australian Greenhouse gas Calculator
Learning ExperienceStimulated interest, controversial discussion, self reflection.
Increased understanding and new/revised values and behaviours
School of Property Construction and Project ManagementFirst YearBUIL 1105 Construction Science (Existing)BUIL 1107 Design and Documentation (Existing) BUIL 1149 Property Economics (Existing)BUIL 1114 Residential Design and Measurement (Existing)
Second YearOMGT 1124 Urban Economics (Existing) BUSM 3130 Risk Management (Existing) BUIL 1128 Building Services (Existing)
Third YearBUIL 1216 Human Relations & Occupational Health & Safety (Existing)BUIL 1217 Research and Sustainability (New)
Electives/Alternative DeliveryBUIL 1161 Affordability and Sustainability Study Tour (New)
BUIL 1135 Environmental Management/Sustainable Construction Off Shore (New)
Curriculum Change forSustainability, RMIT University
Research and Sustainability
Affordability and sustainability of housing
Environmental Management
PCPM New CoursesPCPM New Courses
Curriculum Change forSustainability, RMIT University
“Building Capacity for a Sustainable Future” RMIT University
Partners:• Victorian Department of Sustainability and
Environment; • Commonwealth Department of the
Environment and Heritage; • Victorian Department of Education;• The Honery Institute.
Australian Research Council Linkage GrantAustralian Research Council Linkage Grant