Pedagogy of Hope in Vocational Education
This project aims to expand the successful "Pedagogy of Hope" initiative, previously implemented in HAVO and VWO classes, to include VMBO students. Preliminary studies show varying attitudes among youth towards climate change and sustainability, with many VMBO students facing immediate concerns like financial issues that overshadow environmental issues. Recognizing the need for collective action against climate change, it is crucial to involve all students, including those in vocational education, in sustainability education.
Background
Utrecht University and Stichting Technotrend developed the "Pedagogy of Hope", which created high-quality lessons for HAVO/VWO classes and assessed student attitudes towards climate change. Despite its success, the project did not include VMBO students due to existing networks focusing on HAVO and VWO schools. This project aims to bridge that gap by adapting the project for VMBO students and collaborating with Hogeschool Utrecht, which specializes in sustainability education in vocational settings.
Goals
- Investigate the needs of VMBO teachers for effective climate change education.
- Study VMBO students' attitudes towards climate change and sustainability.
- Transform the "Pedagogy of Hope" to suit VMBO students and teachers.
- Enhance knowledge exchange between Utrecht University and Hogeschool Utrecht on youth, climate change, and education.
- Broaden the scope of climate change education research to include all secondary education tracks and diverse socio-economic backgrounds.
This project is a stepping stone towards inclusive climate change education, ensuring all youth, regardless of educational track or socio-economic background, are equipped with the knowledge and tools to address environmental challenges. By integrating VMBO students into the "Pedagogy of Hope," the team aims to foster a united and informed generation capable of driving sustainable change.