Compass Education Level 1 Online Course
TEACHING AND LEARNING FOR A SUSTAINABLE WORLD: A SYSTEMS THINKING APPROACH
January 25 - March 14, 2021
Course Overview
This is a seven-week cohort-based, (mostly) asynchronous, facilitator guided course, using both independent and collaborative learning methods. Participants will explore the concept of sustainability with specific emphasis on the role of education and the use of systems thinking to enhance student learning. Systems thinking tools and methods will be demonstrated and participants will have the opportunity to explore their practical application. The aim of the course is for participants to leave with a deeper understanding of sustainability, a greater awareness of their own systems contexts, skill in using systems thinking tools and the ability to successfully incorporate and align sustainability with existing curriculum. Whether you’re running a school or facilitating a conversation in the classroom, this course is for you!
Upon evidence of the use of tools introduced in this course, participants will be certified as a Compass Education level 1: Compass Practitioner.
We recommend that the course be taken concurrently by two or more members of the same school or organisation as it allows for deeper, contextual conversations revolving around the concepts and tools covered. Discounts are available for cohorts of three or more.
Learning Outcomes
IN THIS COURSE, YOU WILL
- Discuss the imperative for sustainability education in a global context
- Identify sustainability dispositions and examine their compatibility with your personal educational philosophy and institutional values
- Understand the relationship between sustainability and systems thinking
- Explore the educational uses of systems thinking tools
- Discover how sustainability habits of mind can be integrated into teaching and learning
- Develop unit/lesson plans to include sustainability perspectives and systems thinking tools in your classroom
WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE
Educators and program leaders who want to integrate sustainability education and systems thinking into their teaching practice. Curriculum leaders and administrators interested in understanding what the practical application of sustainability education looks like.
WHAT YOU WILL TAKE AWAY FROM THIS COURSE
- A practical understanding of sustainability and systems thinking
- 1-1 mentorship and feedback from your Compass facilitator
- Powerful conversations and practical analysis of your educational setting
- Useful tools that can be integrated into any curriculum and every class level
- Access to our database of educator sourced lesson plans
- Professional networking with a global cohort of educators
TIME EXPECTATIONS
We suggest that educators set aside 2-3hours per week to do the readings, participate in the discussions and complete the suggested exercises. The course is designed to be immediately applicable in your context and the exercises often relate to your school environment, which is a win-win in the implementation and use of the tools in your classroom.
In addition to the asynchronous participation in the course, you will be invited and strongly encouraged to participate in two optional synchronous sessions with your facilitators. We will do our best to accommodate timing for different time zones.
1-1 FACILITATOR SUPPORT
This course is unique from many online courses because of the focus that we place on supporting our participants in their learning journey. Every participant will be assigned a mentor/facilitator whose educator experience most aligns with theirs. Your facilitator will accompany you throughout, providing personalized feedback and the opportunity to dive deeper based on your context.
CERTIFICATION
Compass Education Level 1 “Compass Practitioner” Certification which can lead towards certification as a Compass Trainer
Lesson Outlines
LESSON 1: AN INTRO TO SUSTAINABILITY
By the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
- Create your own definition of holistic sustainability.
- Explain your role as an educator in building a sustainable world.
- Feel a sense of agency in educating for a sustainable world.
LESSON 2: SUSTAINABILITY IN MY CONTEXT
By the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
- Reflect on your educational philosophy and its connections to sustainability.
- Find leverage in already existing school/organization documentation to address sustainability.
LESSON 3: THE SUSTAINABILITY COMPASS
By the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
- Understand the Sustainability Compass as a systems thinking tool.
- Apply the Compass to a commonly encountered situation.
- Use the Compass within your own context.
- Reflect on the value of using The Compass as a tool for analysis and collaboration.
LESSON 4: THE SYSTEMS ICEBERG
By the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
- Explain the Iceberg Model, including the different levels and how they’re connected.
- Apply the Iceberg Model to an example either in your own life or in the classroom.
LESSON 5: SYSTEMS THINKING TOOLS
By the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
- Give a definition of systems thinking.
- Describe the educational uses of systems thinking tools such as behavior over time graphs and closed loop diagrams.
LESSON 6: ACTION PLANNING
By the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
- Identify habits of mind that promote system thinking and sustainability.
- Create an action plan for how to use the Compass Tools in your classroom.
LESSON 7: JOIN THE MOVEMENT
By the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
- Register for and access the Compass Tools (Accelerator Lite).
- Identify different ways to connect with Compass trained educators.
- Recognize the impact of global collaboration and opportunities for sharing.
team@compasseducation.org
Facilitators
Laurence Myers
Steering Committee Member, Compass Trainer
Laurence Myers is originally from Athens, Greece and is proud of it! He is currently the Service Learning Coordinator at the American School of Dubai (ASD).
Laurence holds an M.Ed. degree in Educational Administration from the University of Nebraska, an M.A. in Kinesiology from the University of Minnesota and a B.A. in International Relations from The College of Wooster. He also holds a certificate in Education for Sustainable Development through the Earth Charter (University of Peace), a Sustainability Leadership certificate from Ithaca College as well as a Serve & Learning Certificate in Service Learning from the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Laurence has presented and facilitated sustainability, service learning and systems thinking workshops and professional training within schools, at conferences and online throughout the world. Recently he coordinated ASD’s winning submission for a Zayed Sustainability Award Global High Schools category (MENA region).
Kath Lane
Steering Committee Member, Compass Trainer
Kath Lane is a primary school teacher from the UK who has a passion for educating children about nature and sustainability. She worked at Green School in Bali, Indonesia and has completed a Masters of Education in Educating for Sustainability at Antioch University in the United States. Her most recent position was a Grade 5 teacher in United World College of South East Asia – East, in Singapore, where she was also Environmental Stewardship Coordinator and was actively involved in infusing sustainability education across the primary grades and beyond.
Kath believes that through systems thinking in the curriculum, outdoor education, service and personal/social education children can be given the passion, skills and qualities needed to make the right choices and find sustainable solutions for our world.
FAQs
Is this class really appropriate for ALL educators?
The themes and discussions in this class are very appropriate for all educators. The tools are also appropriate for all grade levels although they will require adaptation for early childhood and some early years educators. We have a network of Compass practitioners that are early childhood educators and we are happy to connect you with them for support to use the tools in the classroom.
Can I share what I learn with my fellow educators?
Yes. The tools are available for free distribution in education and we want you to share them! You may not use them in any consulting or paid circumstance. This course is considered an introduction to some of the tools that we use in teaching systems education. If you are inspired by what you learn we strongly suggest that you sign up for our advanced level classes and submit your application to become a certified Compass Trainer.
Do you offer private courses for school cohorts or teams?
Yes, we offer private courses and individualized timing for school cohorts of 10 or more. Smaller groups can form sub-cohorts within our existing class structure and participate in private discussions while following on the same schedule as the larger group. We offer discounts for cohort groups of 3 or more who participate in the larger class.
Do you offer discounts or scholarships?
Yes, we do. We believe that sustainability education should be accessible to everyone. If you are unable to pay the course fees, please send us an email with your name, position, school, a brief description of your situation and the amount that you are able to pay. If you pay the full price for this course you are supporting other educators to have access. Thank you.
Can I register if my school requires to send out an invoice for billing?
Yes, we are able to invoice your school for the payment and register you for the course manually. Please contact us at team@compasseducation.org with the details of your request.
What happens if I do not complete the course in the time allotted?
Each situation is different and it is best that you let us know if you are having a challenge of this kind. There is a two week grace period at the end of each course to enable you to complete your coursework if necessary. After this time we will not be able to provide facilitator support and will close the class.
Does this course qualify for my school’s professional development requirements?
Every organisation is unique and it is important to check with your school to see if this course will qualify. Once you complete the course successfully, Compass Education is happy to provide you with a formal letter detailing the course educational outcomes and the total number of hours of instruction that you participated in. We will work with you and support you with the documentation that you require.
How do I get more involved in the Compass Network?
In the final lesson of the course we will detail the many different ways that you can get involved with this amazing group of global educators. We will also provide information about how to participate in additional courses and apply to become a Compass Trainer.