GGAA 2014 - Learning & Teaching - Swinburne University of Technology - Winner

Give them wings and they will fly! Transforming VET Teachers into Sustainability Champions

Equipping Australian industries with employees who possess and can apply relevant sustainability skills and knowledge to support the transition, is the long term vision behind Swinburne’s program. The purpose is to transform VET teachers into ‘Sustainability Champions’ – through their teaching practice; and within their organisations. The objective is for teachers to use education for sustainability principles and tools to create transformational learning environments that support a shift in thinking towards sustainability.

Top 3 learnings:

• Educators are powerful catalysts for change and influence towards sustainability.
• Education for sustainability principles and tools support transformational change through facilitating highly experiential learning environments.
• Education for sustainability is really about effective learning practices and should form the basis of all teacher training and education.

What it means to win:

“This award confirms Swinburne University of Technology’s commitment to a sustainable future. We recognise as a university, we have an important role to play in preparing tomorrow’s leaders and decision makers to contribute to a sustainable future. At Swinburne, we are working towards incorporating sustainability principles into our teaching and learning programs, our social and built environments, and through our engagement with industry and the community. The Green Gown Awards Australia is a fantastic initiative to acknowledge and inspire significant sustainability achievements in our sector.”
– Gitanjali Bedi, National Centre for Sustainability.

What the judges said:

The judges thought this was a comprehensive and very positive application, looking at nation wide engagement developing Communities Of Practice (COP).The evidence supplied across the whole application was outstanding in regards to impact and its distributiveness. Highly strategic programme for the sector, with well sourced funding and excellent deliverables.

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