Does experiential student learning lead to more sustainable lifestyles outside the classroom? 

Peter BeckSt. Edward’s University

Austin, Texas

Experiential Learning• “Reflective learning from experience

must be taught if we wish to foster critical thinkers capable of demonstrating appropriate attitudes with a commitment to sustainable practice and a willingness to change behaviour towards sustainability.”(Rowe and Wehrmeyer, 2010)

An experiential educator's role is to organize and facilitate direct experiences of phenomenon

-Experience, reflection, application (Preiser, 2012)

Requirements for Experiential Learning• The goal of experience-based learning

involves something personally significant or meaningful to the students.

• Students should be personally engaged. • Reflective thought and opportunities for

students to write or discuss their experiences should be ongoing throughout the process.

Andresen, Boud and Choen, 2000

Education for Sustainability

• Sustainability needs to be taught through experiential learning (Farish, 2011) or immersion in sustainable communties (Sydow, 2012)

• Sustainability education must be transformative – changing the way of thinking Sterling 2004

Does it Work?• Success can be measured by

whether a student has had a transformational experience (Gadotti, 2010)

• Students pledged to reduce their ecological footprint after taking the course (Crompton, Roy and Caird, 2002)

• Evaluation comments, (MacVaugh, 2012)

St. Edward’s University Mission

“Students are helped to understand themselves, clarify their personal values and recognize their responsibility to the world community”

ENSP 1304.01 - Environment and People Spring 2013

Instructor: Peter Beck Office Phone: 428-1249 Classroom: TH 112 Office: Doyle 208 Class Hours: T,R: 2:00-3:15 Office Hours: M, W: 10:00-12:00, E-mail: peterab@stedwards.edu T,TH: 10:00-11:00 (and by appointment)

Course Description As the gateway to the environmental science and policy major, this course has two main objectives. First, we will emphasize the interdependence between human activities and the natural environment. Not only do human activities influence environmental systems, but environmental quality directly influences the quality of life for humans on earth. This course will introduce the socio-political concepts necessary to understand the interrelationships between human and natural systems, and then use these tools to analyze alternative responses to pressing environmental issues. Secondly, this course will emphasize the necessity of an interdisciplinary approach to examining environmental issues. By identifying the political, economic, sociological, ecological and ethical dimensions of both environmental problems and efforts to address them, this course will prepare students for a more rigorous examination in specialized ENSP courses such as Environmental Politics, Weather and Climate and Chemistry in the Environment.

Service Learning

Lifestyle Project (Kirk and Thomas, 2003)• For one month, reduce:

– Transportation– Electricity– Food, Waste or Water

Reflective Journals• “It really forced us to consider exactly what we’re asking from people

when we say we want them to live more sustainably”• “Overall this project really changed my perspective on what it means to

uphold western values. If I truly want to live more sustainably I have to pull away from these values, especially instant satisfaction.”

• “I learned that I do not have to text constantly, that I can preserve my cell phone battery and save electricity, that I do not need artificial light on beautiful spring days, and that it felt great to ride my bike again.”

• All in all, I am extremely happy that we were assigned this project. I have found that my whole life I have talked about sustainable living but never went the full mile. Now I can say that I have… and its not that hard!

• “The bus was easy to navigate and reduced my transportation. However this made a normal 15-30 minute drive take over an hour and a half.... This is not likely a

practice will carry into my every day routine.”

Evaluation Comments*

• Fall 2009 2 1• Fall 2010 4 1• Fall 2011 4 0• Spring 2012 1 0• Fall 2012 4 0• Spring 2013 3 0

• “This class was by far more than just intaking material and being tested over it. I have applied sustainability in my life.”

• “ “Literally changed my entire outlook on life.”

Positive Negative

*Comments specifically referencing LP

Pre and Post Tests• Anonymous pre and post-tests to 4

courses between Fall 2011 and Spring 2013 courses about their personal resource use

• Examples:• How long do you shower?

At which temperature do you set your thermostat?How often do you recycle?

Results• Miles Driven*• Carpooling**• Bus*• Computer Hours• TV Hours• Stereo Hours*• Lights Off*

• Open Windows*• Recycling***• Shower Time**• Water Source*• Eat Meat• Ceramic Plates• Hours Outside*

*Modal Category Increase**Significant at p<.10***Significant at p<.05

Conclusions

• Seems to Work Limitations and Suggestions for Future Research• Non-representative

sample• Dorms• Short time horizon• Reported behaviors• Categorical survey

questions