A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

School Culture Promoting Sustainability in Student Teachers’ Views




AuthorsYli-Panula Eija, Jeronen Eila, Mäki Sanna

PublisherMDPI

Publication year2022

JournalSustainability

Journal acronymSustainability

Article number7440

Volume14

Issue12

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.3390/su14127440

Web address https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/12/7440

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/175477474


Abstract

School culture includes values, principles, and criteria. It is an integral part of sustainabil- ity education, of which climate change education (CCE) is seen as a way to improve students’ ability to take action to mitigate climate change. This survey aimed to investigate Finnish student teachers’ views of factors important in implementing CCE in school culture and their abilities as teachers to promote CCE. Thirty-six student teachers wrote essays regarding the implementation of school cul- ture and responded to a questionnaire concerning their ability to act as climate change (CC) educa- tors and the challenges they identified in teaching and learning about it. Inductive content analysis was used to study the essays. In student teachers’ answers, six themes to implement in school cul- ture were identified: elements, work community, teacher’s impact, students in the centre, actors outside the school, and challenges. The student teachers highlighted challenges, such as views that deny CC and challenge the transformation of school culture to support sustainable development. The suggested ways to support CCE in daily school life that were very concrete, such as recycling and food education. Student teachers found their own ability to act as climate educators to be rela- tively good. They identified challenges, especially in motivating students to learn about CC and to participate and take action towards a climate-friendly lifestyle. Students’ conflicting attitudes, val- ues, and beliefs related to CC, reinforced by their inner circle, were seen as challenges in teaching and learning about CC. Despite these challenges, transforming a school culture to support CCE should be the goal of every school.


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