Empowering future educators through environmental sustainability

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide information regarding the ways in which the authors’ College’s faculty use paper within their pedagogical practice. A related purpose was to ascertain faculty interest in professional development initiatives related to reducing paper usage through technological affordances.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was developed and administered to the faculty within the university’s Teachers College. The survey was built to assess faculty pedagogical use of paper. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected via the survey.

Findings

The results suggested that digital resources are widely used by faculty, and students are encouraged to conserve paper. However, many faculty are uncomfortable with the complete elimination of paper.

Originality/value

Modeling and promoting environmentally sustainable pedagogical practice is imperative within institutions charged with preparing the next generation of educators.

Citation

Latz, A.O., Bolin, J.H., Quick, M.(M)., Jones, R. and Chapman, A. (2015), "Empowering future educators through environmental sustainability", International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 16 No. 3, pp. 296-309. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-08-2013-0100