Integration of sustainable development education into thematic learning in elementary schools

Abstract

The research aimed to provide an overview of the integration of sustainable development education into thematic learning in elementary schools. This study used an Explanatory Sequential Mixed Method Design. Data were collected through a survey of 279 elementary school teachers in West Java and followed by a focus group discussion involving experts and teachers. The survey data collection uses a questionnaire in the form of a perception scale uploaded in the Google Form and open-ended questions. The questionnaire was used to collect information about teachers' choice of integration of sustainable development education into thematic learning. Open-ended questions were used to collect the information on integration of sustainable development education into thematic learning detail by Focus Group Discussion (FGD). The survey is analyzed statistically using descriptive statistic and one-way ANOVA in SPSS. The data collected from the FGD were analyzed qualitatively through of data triangulation. The research results: (1) ESD can be integrated into elementary school thematic learning; (2) There are 11 essential themes of ESD such as biodiversity, climate change, disaster risk reduction, cultural diversity, poverty reduction, gender quality, health promotion, sustainable lifestyle, sustainable lifestyles, prevention of water crises and sustainable urbanization and each of their elaborations into thematic learning in elementary schools; (3) There are 9 topics of thematic learning considered relevant for infusing the themes. The research concludes that it is necessary to develop of ESD-oriented thematic learning designs, develop of ESD-oriented thematic teaching materials, and ESD-oriented evaluations to develop ESD competencies such as sustainability consciousness.