What's Happening? (May 24th, 2006)

In terms of what's been happening on the DESD List, which inspired this Blog in the first place, we have mainly been considering other DESD 'indicators' projects around the world. Most of them are in their infancy and some obviously are at an embryonic stage! Members also contributed their own efforts if not already mentioned. Certainly there is a great variety in approaches, which is heartening (referring to an ealier post).

For my part, aside from sharing some of the experiences and your comments mentioned on this Blog, I also talked about the feelings I share with one member that it is more important to measure process rather than output. To illustrate, one leftfield idea I had was to present students, workers or community members, etc. with scenarios (which could be computer-based or even a board game! :-) then observe their decision-making and problem-solving behaviour. Obviously we are looking for changes in attitudes, etc. that lead to changes in behaviour which are more in-keeping with the notions of sustainability. Hence, although grossly simplified, we can examine if the DESD has been effective. Ideally these indicators can then be fed back into curricula design rather than simply be input from the outset.

I also raised the issues of looking for typical 'quality' indicators of education such as appropriate administrative structures, good assessment results, selection of teaching staff etc. although these may not need to be examined if appropriate 'quality' procedures are already in place.

Finally, I raised the important issues of Internationalisation of the curriculum (although in our case perhaps Regionalisation is more appropriate). Thus learners should be aware of their neighbour's issues in (E)SD which entails perhaps being aware of their socio-political or geographic issues etc. as well as gaining an appreciation of their culture and possibly language (essential for International negotiations) for example.