The Education for Sustainability Professional Learning Hub (the Hub) supports ongoing demand-based professional learning for sustainability practitioners using education to create change. The Hub has been designed to
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assist practitioners to identify their priority professional learning needs
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highlight relevant providers of professional learning services
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monitor changing professional learning needs of sustainability practitioners to assist service providers to identify and fill gaps in supply.
In 2006, the Office of Environment and Heritage (then the Department of Environment and Conservation) undertook research to gain a better understanding of the professional learning needs of sustainability practitioners using Education for Sustainability (EfS) as a tool for change. Figure 1 highlights the range and priority of professional development needs identified through the research.
The research identified the two highest priority needs as ‘gaining organisational and political support’ and ‘designing effective programs’. It also recommended an approach to professional development based around user generated solutions – enabling educators to shape the learning opportunities relevant to their specific needs, as opposed to a ‘one size fits all’ model of professional development.
The Hub realises this ideal by identifying priority professional learning needs through an online self assessment using the EfS Capabilities Framework. It then aligns these needs with service providers and resources relevant to each learning area. It also has a unique capacity to monitor ongoing professional learning needs and develop a clear picture of appropriate professional learning services required to support the use of EfS to create change.
See here for a text version of the Priority professional learning needs of EfS practitioners graph.
To access the findings of the research that OEH comissioned in 2006, please click on the links below.