Interdisciplinary Cooperative Educational Approaches to Foster Knowledge and Competences for Sustainable Development

Marcel Bassachs, Dolors Cañabate, Teresa Serra and Jordi Colomer
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Marcel Bassachs: Department of Pedagogy, University of Girona, 17004 Girona, Spain
Dolors Cañabate: Department of Specific Didactics, University of Girona, 17004 Girona, Spain
Teresa Serra: Department of Physics, University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain
Jordi Colomer: Teaching Innovation Networks on Reflective and Cooperative Learning, Institute of Sciences Education, University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 20, 1-17

Abstract: The objective of this paper is to prove that interdisciplinary educational approaches foster knowledge and competences for sustainable development in primary education. The intervention methodology employed is an educational and pedagogical approach to teaching science through physical activities and is based on developing dynamic reflective and cooperative learning environments to strengthen teaching–learning relationships. The educational approach included analyzing students’ reflections from their focus groups, in which five categories of cooperative learning: positive interdependence, individual accountability, promotive interaction, the appropriate use of social skills, and group processing, were considered. The results show that, to a significant statistical degree, when the interdisciplinary approaches were adopted the primary school students reached higher levels of understanding, reflective and critical thinking development, and that cooperative learning provided them with a greater perception of sustainable development competences through systems and critical thinking, analysis, interpersonal relationships and collaboration, and strategic action.

Keywords: cooperative learning; reflective learning; physical education; sciences; sustainable development; competence; pedagogy; critical thinking (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (11)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:20:p:8624-:d:430792

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