Sustainable development in higher education in Nordic countries: exploring E-Learning mechanisms and SDG coverage in MOOCs
Research output: Contribution to journal › Research article › Contributed › peer-review
Contributors
Abstract
Purpose: This study aims to explore the extent and types of E-Learning used, as method and tool, to support education for sustainable development (ESD); and to understand the coverage of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in massive open online courses (MOOCs). Design/methodology/approach: The study extends the morphological box of ESD in higher education by nonformal and informal education, exploring the types of blended and online learning and adding the SDGs as a new criterion. The study subjects are Nordic UN Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) members. Through content analysis and thematic coding of reports by higher education institutions (HEIs), different E-Learning methods are identified; furthermore, 30 MOOCs are analyzed. Findings: HEIs apply a variety of blended and online learning to advance ESD for formal and nonformal education. The MOOCs offered by Nordic HEIs predominantly cover four SDGs (9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; 13: Climate Action; 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; and 16: Peace, Justice and strong Institutions), but there is nothing on SDG 2: No Hunger. That is in line with the Nordic countries’ status as developed economies, where these topics are often framed as political and societal priorities. Practical implications: The study’s results suggest that to avoid overlaps and fill gaps in ESD, the offer of open online courses should be orchestrated. Furthermore, HEIs can use our method to analyze their E-Learning courses related to SDGs. Originality/value: This study shows how business schools, especially Nordic UN PRME members, contribute to the SDGs by their MOOC coverage.
Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 196-211 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 6 Jan 2022 |
| Peer-reviewed | Yes |
Keywords
Sustainable Development Goals
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Keywords
- Agenda 2030, Blended learning, E-Learning, Education for sustainable development, Higher education, Massive open online course, MOOCs, Morphological box, Nordic, Nordic Principles for Responsible Management Education, Online learning, SDGs, Sustainability transition, Sustainable development