Web-based stand-alone sustainability module

1. Web-based stand-alone sustainability module Prepared by: Kea Cheng Tan

2. Project’s Aim & Objectives Aim: To prepare the groundwork for the development of a web-based stand-alone sustainability module for use within Newcastle University. Objectives: • To identify the current situation at Newcastle University with respect to teaching and learning sustainability. • To identify the drivers for the web-based stand-alone sustainability module development. • To identify existing stand-alone sustainability modules offered by other HE Institutions. • To identify teaching and learning methods involved in the sustainability module.

3. Gap Analysis • No reference to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in University’s Vision 2021, Environmental Sustainability Policy, Strategy for Environmental Sustainability, Teaching and Learning Strategy • Lack of evidence that sustainability was embedded in teaching and learning (People and Planet) • Lack of coordination among teaching modules related sustainability • Sustainable development is highlighted in research (NIReS), and in practical implementation (Estate Support Service) • Need a focus for teaching – other universities do have all three strands (research, practical implementation and education) for sustainable development

4. Project Outcomes To Date • Looked at what other HE Institutes have done • Existing modules and courses mapped • Formulation of module delivery format and contents (QuILT) • Wider participants involvement for module development and to agree cross-curriculum learning outcomes mapping (All 3 faculties, ESS etc ) • Project ends July – module will not be finished by then

5. University of Bristol’s Experience • Dedicated Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) unit • No pre-requisite and optional to undergraduates (20 credits) • Developed cross-institutional (representative from each school) • Teaching subjects Identified and assigned to relevant personnel • Conventional lectures, interdisciplinary tutorials, seminars and examination • Blackboard – lectures’ notes, online discussion • Mapped existing modules against learning outcomes

6. University of Southampton’s Experience • No pre-requisite and optional to undergraduates (15 credits) • Team-teaching (contributions from each faculty’s lecturers) • Conventional lecture + Blackboard (lecture notes and recorded lecture) • Individual & group assignment (case study workshop + discussion seminar + debate + development of wiki-sites)

7. City University London’s Experience • Online micro module on sustainability • No assessment • Introduction to sustainability, sustainability issues (e.g. food, energy, climate change, etc.) • Focus on sustainability in informatics & sustainability in engineering http://www.soi.city.ac.uk/~sbbf140/sust/food_home.html • Research on existinginteractive applications relating to sustainability, general and commercial “green” websites • Students workshop students’ vision module • Formative evaluation and prototyping  Implementation

11. Meeting with Relevant Personnel (I) • Supervisor • Dr. Sue Haile • Sustainability Team – Estate Support Service (Practical and Implementation) • Matt Dunlop (Energy manager) • Hannah Munro (Sustainability officer) • Sean Jobling (Environmental Management System assistant) • Certificate in Advanced Studies in Academic Practice (CASAP) • Dr. Oliver Heidrich (School of Civil Engineering and Geoscience)

12. Meeting with Relevant Personnel (II) • Module setup (pedagogical & technical issue) • Lydia Wysocki (QuILT Education development and e-learning team) • Mike Cameron (QuILT Education development and e-learning team) • Possible support • Prof. Jane Calvert (Undergraduate Dean of Faculty of Medical Science)

13. Recommendations for NCL’s stand-alone Sustainability Module • No pre-requisites • Optional • Possible CPD certification or a participation certification or credit bearing • Cross-institutional (contribution of staff from different school) • User’s feedback and periodical formal review

14. Example of Module Contents • General quiz on sustainability • Crosswords and video clips on sustainability topic • Carbon footprint , eco and water footprint • Overview of Eco-Campus • Waste and Recycling • Energy & building • Biodiversity • Ethics and society

15. Possible Assessment Methods Includes a combination of: • Project (involving practical, teamwork) • Computer assessment (e.g. quiz, test, MCQ) • Online forum/discussion board • Portfolio

16. Q & A (I) • Who is the audience for the web-based module? (Anyone but could be customised for UG, PG, staff) • Is it to help Eco Campus? (e.g. switch off the light, heating policy)? Or is this an academic module? (Both- awareness raising but also specific information)

17. Q & A (II) • Who owns the module? The maintenance of module?(Suggest to have an ESD unit with module team) • What graphical interface will be used ? (Suggest to use blackboard for ease of use and maintenance) • Is enrolment to the module voluntary? (Yes, and optional)

18. Thank you