Assessment of Competency-based Sustainability Learning to Foster Systems Thinking and Critical Thinking Geoffrey Habron and Lissy Goralnik Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sustainability Specialization Program Michigan State University Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Pittsburgh Oct Oct. 11, 2011 presentation.

Course Logistics and Structure ACR 187 Introduction to Sustainability

Competencies 1.Personal Development/Awareness 2.Critical Thinking 3.Civic Engagement 4.Systems Thinking 5.Social Equity/Justice 6.Economic Vitality 7.Ecological Integrity 8.Aesthetic Understanding es.pdf es.pdf

Course Assignments

AssignmentdateCompetencies (minimum) Final ProjectMay 154.7, 4.6, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7 and one each from 1.0, 2.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0 and 8.0 Communication and Learning for SustainabilityApril 22.3, 3.4, 5.4 Aesthetic Representations of SustainabilityMarch Exam 2 Grant ProposalMarch ; aspects of 5.0, 3.0 and 6.0 Surplus and Recycling Systems interventionFeb ; ; Consumer Product ReviewFeb (pick 2); pick 2 other competencies Surplus and Recycling System Social Capital, Social Network and Environmental Justice Feb 91.3, ; 4.6, 5.1, 5.2 Exam 11.5; 2.1, 2.2; 3.3; 4.1; 5.1; 7.4 Surplus and Recycling Center System map/diagramFeb Climate Change Critical Thinking articleJan , 2.2; 7.4 Globalization and SustainabilityJan ; ; potentially (5.1, 5.2; 6.2, 6.3, 6.6, 6.7)

Ch. 3 Cultural and Contested Understandings of Science and Sustainability Your Task Read the following link that adds an update to Blewitt's Ch. 3 discussion of Bjorn Lomborg. orn-lomborg-climate-change-u-turn orn-lomborg-climate-change-u-turn Your task is to find another contemporary (2010) reference (newspaper article, blog, television show, website, podcast, radio broadcast, etc) that discusses the kinds of science and risk around climate change discussed in the book and in The Guardian article. You should properly cite your source. In that article identify:

a) evidence of critical thinking in the article. Score your reference using the American Associaton of Colleges and Universities Critical Thinking Rubric (1-weak, 2, 3, or 4 - strong) on each of the 5 categories. Explain your rationale. b) multiple competing and divergent perspectives of sustainability (either within the article or between the article and something from Ch. 3). c) biases and assumptions of the science

Rubrics Meet expectations = 2 points

Student example In the article Coping with Climate Change by Ashfak Bokhari from dawn.com, four nations being hit with climate change problems in today’s society are discussed. In looking at this article from a critical thinking standpoint, it does a fairly good job. In explaining the issue, a rating of 3 would be fitting. The stating of problems in Pakistan, Australia, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines are well covered, with some background information being provided so the issue at hand can be understood. Numerical values were given to describe the area of land being discussed. Uncommon terminology, like La Nina was elaborated upon.

Final Project/Portfolio Guidelines Utilize an integration of sustainability competencies to assist in improving the sustainability outcomes of the Surplus and Recycling Center. Provide portfolio evidence for the following overarching competencies: 4.6 Develop, describe and bound a system that effectively captures the ecological, economic and social elements and the relationships between them. 4.7 Based on , diagnose a problem, create an intervention/alternative system to address the problem; or, delineate alternative initial conditions that could lead toward a more sustainable state.

Your project must include evidence that addresses at least one specific competency from each of the 8 competency areas (personal development, critical thinking, civic engagement, systems thinking, social equity, ecological integrity, economic vitality and aesthetic understanding) Final presentation to the Surplus and Recycling Center (and other relevant folks). This is your final exam.

Spring 2011 Results 902 individual competency assessments Scores 0 (failed expectation), 1 (approached expectation), 2 (met expectation) 3 (exceeded expectation).

Assignments Mean Scores Critical Thinking 2.2 Systems Thinking 4.6 Systems Thinking 4.7 t na t t t Total1.78 (46)1.58, n=642.02, n=43

Grade vs Competency

Student Evaluations (1 = high) (5 = low)

“…the difference is that these classes seek to shove information down your throat while ACR 187 seeks to change the way you think and perceive the world. In order to move on from the problems that plague us now, we must be willing to think outside the box. “ (ACR 187 Introduction to Sustainability student)

Rubric