At first, we were so excited about the program knowing that ESD is a new strategy and unused in schools worldwide, yet it ensures the skills and knowledge that encourages sustainability, in schools, particularly. During the training, we learned new things, particularly about the teaching approach, which focuses on improving students' attitudes toward sustainability. As we move forward, we respect the feelings of those who are affected or concerned about the effects of global climate change. We express our varied emotions about what is happening to our environment through eco-emotions, and we uplift ourselves by considering how we can help and become superheroes for our planet.
Climate change and sustainability science are 'wicked problems' with no one optimal or clear answer, but the EduGem enlightens us that we may provide something in our homes, school, and community to decrease the impact of all these wicked problems and improve it gradually. The challenge is on us as teachers to figure out how to incorporate some solutions to our various environmental challenges into our class discussions.
Moreover, what we like about this training program is that obviously, it was well- planned and well-organized. Since Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is new to most of the representatives, the training program is well introduced through different platforms such as video clips, digitized reading materials, and virtual presentations, specifically through the founder and ESD Consultant, Dr. Marianne Juntunen. In addition to that, what made the training program more convenient is that each section in the course is set to respective dates to when it must be accomplished. This idea really helped our team, as teachers perse, to work on it is each specific date. EduGems, maraming salamat at mabuhay!”
Team RESPSCI of Rizal Experimental Station and Pilot School of Cottage Industries -Philippines
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This course has enabled me to discover the importance of sustainability and not only focus on 21st century learning but instead to work on solutions that will benefit the generations to come to solve at least some aspects of the wicked problems in the modern world.
Dr. Juntunen is doing a phenomenal job by educating and creating awareness of sustainability amongst educators.
Tania M.Hodges - Teacher
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We learned and clarified many educational concepts such as Holistic and Inquiry-based Education for Sustainable Development, we understood that very simple actions can bring big impact on both students and teachers. It is worth gaining a deep understanding of STEAM, ESD and 21st century skills. Attending this trainning anyone can pick up best practices in pedagogical field.
The material is well structured and diverse (audio, video, PDF files, links). This makes the learning an active and engaging process. More than that, the discussions threads is the best way to demonstarte understanding and to share experience. The nice Introduction videos welcome and motivate. It is a bit time consuming but worthy!
Vasile Alecsandri Theoretical Lyceum - group of teachers
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Going through the modules 1 and 2 was an eye opener in many sense. Starting form how we become a better teacher and how we can develop a positive environment in the classroom and the enormous responsibility of shaping a future generation to be more sensitive towards global issues. Knowing about the educational system in Finland - the aspects like free education, non-competitiveness, activity-based learning and assessment for learning were key takeaways and we shall try to adopt some in our classes. We realised that there are many ill-practices in India that have become a sort of 'norm' but this course has made us realise that they have a much greater negative impact and should be addressed / educated as soon as possible. At present, environmental education is a separate subject in most schools here in India but in this course we have learned that the ESD can be integrated by every teacher in his/her lesson. This itself would be the top priority of our project goal.
ESD is not taught properly in most teacher -training programs. So we highly recommend that every teacher must go through modules like this to give a better perspective of his/her teaching.
Paljor Namgyal Girls' School - group of teachers
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We consider it essential that this information should be known to as many educators as possible. The way of teaching in Finland has inspired us because in the region where we live (Mexico) education is far from this model. We stick with their DNA and share their values, we admire their nature and the work they have accomplished so far.
Colegio Stratford - group of teachers
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The training is an eye-opener for teaching with ESD approach as well as it has been tested by time through research. It also has opened the doors to learn how Finnish education are leading ahead from everyone. I truly would recommend that every educators should go for this training.
Raju Baral - Teacher
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Thank you so much to give us such a wonderful learning experience. I came from Malaysia, studying and living in Australia, somehow I found there is something wrong with the school system. Then I went back and started my own academy in my country where I focused more on students' autonomous independent learning style, I received not a very welcoming respond. Until I learned from your first module, my approach sits very well in the Finland national education framework. Having to say that, there are still elements in my teaching approach that I need to fine tune them. I am in peace and I am very happy with what I am striving for. Words cannot express how much I felt about this program and landed in this program. Keep up the good work and together we bring change to the planet.
Bee Tin Teoh - Teacher