Sustainability and science and technology teacher education

Abstract

To introduce the theme of this book, in this chapter, we report the results from a review of the pertinent research literature, from South Africa and Sweden, focusing on approaches to sustainable development in science and technology teacher education. The 25 studies, selected for content analysis, were categorised into six approaches: (1) studies with content-focus, (2) studies of interdisciplinary approaches, (3) approaches proposing significant changes in teaching practices, (4) approaches challenging educational paradigms, (5) approaches developing theoretical models and (6) approaches towards effective integration of sustainable development in curricula. Although papers from both countries agree that contemporary challenges emanating from unsustainable exploitation of the environment and earth's resources necessitate reorientation in science and technology teacher education, there are differences in the ways in which this is approached. In Sweden, the emphasis has been on understanding and developing teachers’ and learners’ sustainability competencies, while in South Africa, the major focus has been on developing teachers’ pedagogical practices and implementation of policies and curricula.