Skip to main content

Transformative Education for Sustainability, Health and Wellbeing: A Model of Online Delivery

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Sustainability and the Humanities

Abstract

This chapter offers an account of the development and early days of delivery of an innovative online master’s programme in sustainability, health and wellbeing. In particular, the chapter discusses how e-learning programmes may increase access and through the use of a humanistic, transformative learning approach offer profound learning experiences; while having a lesser environmental impact than traditional attendance courses. The chapter describes the design of the programme to facilitate transformative learning; and incorporates reflections from students on how their learning impacts on their perceptions and understanding of sustainability, health and wellbeing and how they foresee this influencing their future practices.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Anderson, T. (2004). Toward a theory of online learning. In T. Anderson & F. Elloumi (Eds.), The theory and practice of online learning. Edmonton, Canada: Athabasca University. Retrieved from http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.131.9849&rep=rep1&type=pdf.

  • Anderson, T., & Dron, J. (2012). Learning technology through three generations of technology enhanced distance education pedagogy. European Journal of Open, Distance and E-Learning. Available at: http://www.eurodl.org/index.php?p=current&sp=full&article=523.

  • Anagnostopoulou, K., Parmar, D., & Priego-Hernandez, J. (2009). An exploration of perceptions of learning and e-learning held by students who withdraw and those who persist with UK higher education. Brookes E-Journal of Learning and Teaching, 2(4) Retrieved from http://bejlt.brookes.ac.uk/article/an_exploration_of_perceptions_of_learning_and_e_learning/.

  • Biggs, J., & Tang, C. (2011). Teaching for quality learning at university: What the student does (4th ed.). Maidenhead, UK: Open University Press/SRHE.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bischel, J. (2013). The state of E-learning in higher education: An eye toward growth and increased access. Louisville, CO: EDUCAUSE Center for Analysis and Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bloom, N. (2015). Conversation at home with Jack Mezirow. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/iEuctPHsre4.

  • Boyer, N. R., Maher, P. A., & Kirkman, S. (2006). Transformative learning in online settings: The use of self-direction, meta-cognition, and collaborative learning. Journal of Transformative Education, 4, 335–361.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burns, H. (2015). Transformative sustainability pedagogy: Learning From ecological systems and indigenous wisdom. Journal of Transformative Education, 13(3), 259–276.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carr-Chellman, A. A. (2005). Global perspectives on E-learning: Rhetoric and reality. London, UK: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conrad, R. M., & Donaldson, J. A. (2005). Engaging the online learner: Activities and resources for creative instruction. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cranton, P., & Roy, M. (2003). When the bottom falls out of the bucket: Toward a holistic perspective on transformative learning. Journal of Transformative Education, 1(2), 86–98.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dabbagh, N., & Kitsantas, A. (2011). Personal learning environments, social media and self-regulated learning: A natural formula for connecting formal and informal learning. Internet for Higher Education, 15, 3–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iheduc.2011.06.002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Downing, K. (2001). Information technology education and health care: Constructivism in the 21st century. Educational Studies., 27(3), 229–235.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farley, H. M., & Smith, Z. A. (2013). Sustainability: If it’s everything, is it nothing?. Abingdon, UK: Routledge.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Garrison, D. R. (2011). E-learning in the 21st century: A framework for research and practice. London, UK: Routledge Falmer.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Grabove, V. (1997). The many facets of transformative learning theory and practice. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, 74, 89–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Groves, M., & O’Donoghue, J. (2009). Reflections of students in their use of asynchronous online seminars. Educational Technology and Society, 12(3), 143–149.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holmes, B., & Gardner, J. (2006). E-learning: Concepts and practice. London, UK: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hootstein, E. (2002). Wearing four pairs of shoes: The roles of e-learning facilitators. Retrieved from https://www.td.org/Publications/Newsletters/Learning-Circuits/Learning-Circuits-Archives/2002/Wearing-Four-Pairs-of-Shoes.

  • Illeris, K. (2003). Transformative learning—From a perspective of a comprehensive (adult) learning theory. Paper presented to the Fifth International Transformative Learning Conference, Transformative learning in action: Building bridges across contexts and disciplines, pp. 245–250, October 23–25 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  • Illeris, K. (2014a). Transformative learning and identity. Abingdon, UK: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Illeris, K. (2014b). Transformative learning re-defined: As changes in elements of identity. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 33(5), 573–586.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Illeris, K. (2015). Transformative learning in higher education. Journal of Transformative Learning, 3(1), 46–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lang, E. A. (2004). Transformative and restorative learning: A vital dialectic for sustainable societies. Adult Education Quarterly, 54(2), 121–139.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laurillard, D. (2004). E-learning in higher education. In P. Aswin (Ed.), Changing higher education: The development of teaching and learning. Abingdon, UK: Routledge Falmer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lave, J., & Wenger, E. (1991). Situated learning: Legitimate peripheral participation. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • McKimm, J., Jollie, C., & Cantillon, P. (2003). ABC of learning and teaching. Web based learning. BMJ, 326, 870–873.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meyer, J. H. F., & Land, R. (2005). Threshold concepts and troublesome knowledge (2): Epistemological considerations and a conceptual framework for teaching and learning. Higher Education, 49(3), 373–388.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meyer, J. H. F., Land, R. & Baillie, C. (eds.) (2010). Threshold concepts and transformational learning. Rotterdam: Sense Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mezirow, J. (1978). Education for perspective transformation: Women’s re-entry programs in community colleges. New York, NY: Centre for Adult Education, Teachers College, Columbia University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mezirow, J. (2009). An overview on transformative learning. In K. Illeris (Ed.), Contemporary theories of learning: Learning theorists … in their own words (pp. 90–105). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mezirow, J. & Associates. (2000). Learning as transformation: Critical perspectives on a theory in progress. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mulligan, M. (2018). An introduction to sustainability: Environmental, social and personal perspectives. Abingdon, UK: Earthscan from Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Newman, M. (2012). Calling transformative learning into question: Some mutinous thoughts. Adult Education Quarterly, 62(1), 36–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oxford Dictionaries.com. (n.d.). Definition of humanities. Retrieved from: https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/humanity.

  • Partington, H. (2017). Post-qualification education and professional identity in the contested landscape of complementary and alternative medicine: A case of transformative learning in an online setting. Doctoral thesis, University of Central Lancashire.

    Google Scholar 

  • People and Planet. (2017). People and Planet university league. Retrieved from: https://peopleandplanet.org/university-league.

  • Preece, J. (2000). Online communities: Designing usability, supporting sociability. New York, UK: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Race, P. (2014). Making learning happen: A guide for post-compulsory education. London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, A. (2002). Teaching adults (3rd edn.) Maidenhead: Open University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salmon, G. (2003). E-moderating: The key to teaching and learning online (2nd edn.) Abingdon, UK: Routledge Falmer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sipos, Y., Battisti, B., & Grimm, K. (2008). Achieving transformative sustainability learning: Engaging head, hands and heart. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 9(1), 68–86. https://doi.org/10.1108/14676370810842193.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sterling, S. (2011). Transformative learning and sustainability: Sketching the conceptual ground. Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, 5, 17–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, E. W. (1998). The theory and practice of transformative learning: A critical review. Columbus, Ohio: ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult, Career and Vocational Employment.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tucker, B. (2012). The flipped classroom. Education Next, 12(1), 82–83. Retrieved from: https://search.proquest.com/docview/1237826701?accountid=17233.

  • UCLan. (2017a). Sustainable development. Retrieved from http://www.uclan.ac.uk/sustainable_development/index.php.

  • UCLan. (2017b). MSc Sustainability, health and wellbeing course handbook 2017–18. Retrieved from https://www5.uclan.ac.uk/ou/aqasu/coursedocumentation/student_handbooks/sh_msc_sustainability_health_and_wellbeing_2017.pdf.

  • Wenger, E. (1998). Communities of practice: Learning, meaning, and identity. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, B. G., Ludwig-Harman, S., Thornam C. L., Dunlap, J. C. (2004). Bounded community: Designing and facilitating learning communities in formal courses. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 5(3), 1–22. Retrieved from: http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/204/286.

  • Young, S. T., & Dhanda, K. K. (2013). Sustainability: Essentials for business. London, UK: Sage.

    Book  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Bryony Wilson, Emily Rushton, Kate Lowe, Linda Baker and Tony Holt for their contributions.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hazel Partington .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Partington, H., Duckworth, J., Tobyn, G. (2019). Transformative Education for Sustainability, Health and Wellbeing: A Model of Online Delivery. In: Leal Filho, W., Consorte McCrea, A. (eds) Sustainability and the Humanities. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95336-6_22

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics