Education for Sustainability at Distance and Online Learning Universities: Methodologies and Good Practices for Educating Sustainability Experts and Leaders of the Future

Abstract

Education for sustainable development (ESD) is key for all stakeholders in higher education who want to move forward in terms of sustainability. No matter how universities may structure main fields of action—like research, teaching, the so-called “third mission” or outreach respectively, governance, and operation management—ESD undeniably represents the core of implementing sustainability at universities. Unfortunately, however, despite several agenda-setting efforts at political, governmental, and higher education systems’ levels and notwithstanding considerable progression leading universities have made, ESD still seems to be in its infancy in the entire higher education system. This paper focuses on the role of ESD at and designed by universities specialized in distance and online learning, making clear their considerable and specific impact in the light of the whole institution approach. First, conceptual considerations are presented twofold: (i) the morphological box for ESD provides a powerful development tool for ESD implementation, and (ii) key ESD characteristics of distance and online learning processes and institutions are presented. Second, good practice examples for ESD program development and specific distance and online learning formats are shown, focusing on the case of Wilhelm Büchner Hochschule Darmstadt, Germany’s largest Mobile University of Technology. Finally, conclusions are drawn, and recommendations for action are given, addressing all those interested in the further development of ESD in distance and online learning formats.