Transformational learning through study abroad: US students' reflections on learning about sustainability in the South Pacific
Transformational learning through study abroad: US students' reflections on learning about sustainability in the South Pacific
复制标题
DOI：
10.1080/02614367.2014.962585
复制
发表时间：
2016-01-01
期刊：
影响因子：
2.8
通讯作者：
Stoner, Lee
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Bell, Heather L.;Gibson, Heather J.;Stoner, Lee
由于休闲学习和高等教育更普遍地包含了可持续发展和全球公民身份的主题，因此调查旨在实现这些目标的教育倡议是很重要的。运用变革性学习的变革性理论，这项研究考察了150名美国大学生的经历，他们参加了澳大利亚、新西兰和斐济的三个跨学科短期留学项目，重点是可持续性。这些课程具有高度的体验性，课程结构围绕针对特定目的地的模块，通过特定的课程进行访问。在课程结束时，学生们被要求反思他们的经历，回答四个开放式问题。这些数据由研究团队编码，并以可持续发展和变革性学习理论为指导。确定了四个主题：新的社会文化理解；与自然界的新联系；经济考虑；以及作出改变。这些发现为美国学生了解日常生活中可持续实践的必要性和重要性提供了一些见解。反过来，支持这样一种假设，即高度体验性和涉及批判性反思的课程有可能改变学生的世界观。
As leisure studies and higher education more generally embrace the themes of sustainability and global citizenship, it is important to investigate educational initiatives that purport to achieve these goals. Using transformational theory of transformative learning, this study examined the experiences of 150 US university students who participated in three interdisciplinary short-term study abroad programmes that focus on sustainability in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. The programmes are highly experiential with the curriculum structured around modules targeted at a particular destination, visited on a specific programme. At the conclusion of the programmes, the students were asked to reflect on their experiences in response to four open-ended questions. The data were coded by the research team, and guided by the tenets of sustainability and transformative learning theory. Four themes were identified: a new sociocultural understanding; a new connection with the natural world; economic considerations; and making changes. The findings provide insights into some ways US students have been introduced to the need for, and importance of, sustainable practices in daily life. In turn, support is provided for the supposition that programmes that are highly experiential and involve critical reflection have the potential to shift students' worldviews.