“The value of mixed teaching methods in the context of the sustainable development goals—An evaluation of a compulsory course using the example of a large group of students”

Abstract

The task of the German higher education system is to implement Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in teaching within the framework of Agenda 2030. A special focus is on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This article deals with the implementation of these goals in connection with the use of different teaching methods in mass courses. As good practice, the course in the Bachelor of Business Administration at the Bremen University is used here. The case is used to outline the extent to which different teaching and learning methods (four dimensions of academic teaching) can be used in a larger group to develop a deeper understanding of SDGs among students. This article clearly highlights that it is possible to implement ESD and in particular the SDGs in academic teaching. One of the main result is that different teaching and learning methods enable students to look at the topic from different perspectives and thus acquire in-depth knowledge of the SDGs and the Agenda 2030.