{"id":10439,"date":"2022-12-01T08:34:17","date_gmt":"2022-12-01T08:34:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/?p=10439"},"modified":"2022-12-02T11:18:26","modified_gmt":"2022-12-02T11:18:26","slug":"the-time-is-now-thoughts-from-a-further-education-teacher-educator-about-sustainability-and-digital-pedagogy-in-the-post-covid-era","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/2022\/12\/the-time-is-now-thoughts-from-a-further-education-teacher-educator-about-sustainability-and-digital-pedagogy-in-the-post-covid-era\/","title":{"rendered":"The Time is Now: Thoughts from a Further Education Teacher Educator about Sustainability and Digital Pedagogy in the post-COVID era"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Joyce I-Hui Chen <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter Handle: @joyceihuichen1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the summer of 2022 in the UK, the MET Office confirmed the new record-high temperature of 40.3 \u00b0C<\/a> and a new highest daily minimum temperature record<\/a>. Whilst enjoying the sunny weather, I could not stop thinking that this is an alarming reminder that the climate is changing, and we are all in this together. The Ukraine-Russia crisis is an ongoing cruel reminder that humankind is challenged and we as humans have yet learnt how to treat each other with compassion, kindness and love, despite the fact that history seems to repeat itself over and over again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I recalled how the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown back in 2020 and 2021 in the UK somehow brought humankind back to our communities. Neighbours, friends and people, who we do not often have opportunities to make connections with, started out by setting up support groups online to help each other get through the darkest and toughest times. At work, I set up wellbeing initiatives and activities online to support teachers and educators to talk with each other through crafts such as origami and mindfulness<\/a>. Technologies enable us to make connections and build communities beyond the physical space. Through the experiences of the last three years with the continuing pandemic and global crisis, we have learnt so much about the importance and values of being human \u2013 compassion, love, kindness, thoughtfulness and communities. Human beings are not perfect, but we should learn from what is around us and take actions to stop doing more harm to each other and the planet we are living in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being a teacher educator, I constantly reflect on what education means and what it is for. In the last three years, digital pedagogy and sustainability have been my main areas of professional development and learning. A really insightful report<\/a>, published by the Association for Learning Technology<\/a>, highlights key motivators which underpin digital pedagogy in further education and vocational education: developing \u2018a learner-centred community model with values, identity, beliefs, purpose and needs\u2019, balanced with \u2018digital design strategies, tools and learning environments\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For me, education should be grounded in co-creating communities with multidisciplinary skills, knowledge, perspectives, and cultures. Through continuing co-constructive communities, we build trust, openness and agency to be creative and innovative. Digital pedagogy builds on existing pedagogy informed by educators and learners. Through pandemic, I personally experienced the empowering effects of digital participative pedagogy in action. Online communities such as #JoyFE<\/a>, #FEResearchmeet<\/a>, the Learning and Skills Research Network<\/a>, Women\u2019s Leadership Network CIC<\/a>, and #AmplifyFE<\/a> have brought practitioners together for shared values and passion to support each other and drive social purposes. The importance of<\/p>\n\n\n\n

these communities is to support and develop sustainable learning for educators and practitioners. One major learning from all the different communities is the culture of thinking and how the practice of thinking environment<\/a> has brought innovative ideas in an equal and anti-competitive space such as an Ideas Room<\/a>. As Nancy Kline<\/a> (the originator of thinking environment) says, \u2018The quality of everything we do depends on the quality of the thinking we do first.<\/em> The quality of our thinking depends on the way we treat each other while we are thinking\u2019.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sustainability requires all of us working on ourselves about how we treat each other, the living things, the non-living things, our planet, the environments and beyond. The time is now!<\/p>\n\n\n

This blog was written as a draft formulation of the author’s ideas before submitting her contribution to the new open source journal Future FE Pedagogies. Joyce would welcome your thoughts, ideas and comments to help her extend her thinkpiece. You can share them via a Mentimeter poll here: https:\/\/www.menti.com\/alvrssrka424 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Twitter Handle: @joyceihuichen1 In the summer of 2022 in the UK, the MET Office confirmed the new record-high temperature of 40.3 \u00b0C and a new highest daily minimum temperature record. Whilst enjoying the sunny weather, I could not stop thinking that this is an alarming reminder that the climate is changing, and we are all […]","protected":false},"author":1970,"featured_media":10440,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1499],"tags":[1258,1412,1311,840,1526],"class_list":["post-10439","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-amplifyfe","tag-altc-2","tag-amplifyfe","tag-digital-pedagogy","tag-further-education","tag-sustainability"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2022\/12\/Blog-Cover-Guidlines-5.png?fit=699%2C216&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":12358,"url":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/2024\/07\/new-diploma-in-teaching-further-education-skills-qualification-elevating-standards-in-further-education\/","url_meta":{"origin":10439,"position":0},"title":"New Diploma in Teaching (Further Education & Skills) qualification: elevating standards in further education","author":"ALT","date":"16 July 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"A significant transformation is underway in the realm of Further Education and Skills (FE&S) training with the introduction of the new Diploma in Teaching (FE&S) qualification. The qualification commences on 1st September 2024. This update not only aims to enhance the quality of teacher training but also aligns with contemporary\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "#AmplifyFE"","block_context":{"text":"#AmplifyFE","link":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/category\/amplifyfe\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2024\/07\/new-diploma.png?fit=1200%2C836&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2024\/07\/new-diploma.png?fit=1200%2C836&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2024\/07\/new-diploma.png?fit=1200%2C836&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2024\/07\/new-diploma.png?fit=1200%2C836&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2024\/07\/new-diploma.png?fit=1200%2C836&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9004,"url":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/2021\/01\/amplifyfe-project-at-the-vocteach-symposium\/","url_meta":{"origin":10439,"position":1},"title":"AmplifyFE Project at the VocTeach Symposium","author":"","date":"11 January 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"ALT's Chief Executive, Dr Maren Deepwell, contributed to the VocTeach FE Symposium - Aggregating High Quality Online Educational Resources for FE organised by the Open University alongside experts including Bob Harrison, Vikki Liogier, Caroline Wright and John Domingue. The event addressed key issues facing the FE sector: \"The current global\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Project updates"","block_context":{"text":"Project updates","link":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/category\/project-updates\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2021\/01\/Types-signposts.jpg?fit=960%2C540&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2021\/01\/Types-signposts.jpg?fit=960%2C540&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2021\/01\/Types-signposts.jpg?fit=960%2C540&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2021\/01\/Types-signposts.jpg?fit=960%2C540&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12449,"url":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/2024\/08\/amplifying-your-network-at-altc24\/","url_meta":{"origin":10439,"position":2},"title":"Amplifying your network at ALTC24","author":"ALT","date":"21 August 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"I really value attending ALTC - I've actually lost count of the times that I've been over the last decade or so! I think I particularly value visiting for 2 reasons, meeting up with the practitioner research community and promoting the work of everything we do in FE and Skills.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "#AmplifyFE"","block_context":{"text":"#AmplifyFE","link":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/category\/amplifyfe\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"AmplifyFE community space","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2024\/08\/AmplifyFEspace-blog-cover-image-template-734x550-2.png?fit=1200%2C899&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2024\/08\/AmplifyFEspace-blog-cover-image-template-734x550-2.png?fit=1200%2C899&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2024\/08\/AmplifyFEspace-blog-cover-image-template-734x550-2.png?fit=1200%2C899&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2024\/08\/AmplifyFEspace-blog-cover-image-template-734x550-2.png?fit=1200%2C899&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2024\/08\/AmplifyFEspace-blog-cover-image-template-734x550-2.png?fit=1200%2C899&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13482,"url":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/2025\/12\/25-days-of-amplifyfe-celebrating-community-practice-and-professional-learning\/","url_meta":{"origin":10439,"position":3},"title":"25 Days of AmplifyFE: Celebrating Community, Practice and Professional Learning","author":"ALT","date":"20 December 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"We\u2019re delighted to share\u00a025 Days of AmplifyFE, a festive countdown celebrating the knowledge, collaboration, and innovation that make our FE community so special. Each day we've highlighted a resource, event, opportunity or moment from across the AmplifyFE network: from thought-provoking blog posts and inspiring webinar recordings, to community calls to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "#AmplifyFE"","block_context":{"text":"#AmplifyFE","link":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/category\/amplifyfe\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"AmplifyFE community space","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2024\/08\/AmplifyFEspace-blog-cover-image-template-734x550-2.png?fit=1200%2C899&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2024\/08\/AmplifyFEspace-blog-cover-image-template-734x550-2.png?fit=1200%2C899&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2024\/08\/AmplifyFEspace-blog-cover-image-template-734x550-2.png?fit=1200%2C899&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2024\/08\/AmplifyFEspace-blog-cover-image-template-734x550-2.png?fit=1200%2C899&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2024\/08\/AmplifyFEspace-blog-cover-image-template-734x550-2.png?fit=1200%2C899&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11192,"url":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/2023\/06\/amplifyfe-out-and-about\/","url_meta":{"origin":10439,"position":4},"title":"#AmplifyFE out and about","author":"ALT","date":"21 June 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"The #AmplifyFE team have been busy bees this year, travelling up and down the country to attend a variety of conferences. We started the year at the Society for Education and Training (SET) conference at the Vox Centre in Birmingham. Our stand in the conference foyer with the eye-catching Amplify\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "#AmplifyFE"","block_context":{"text":"#AmplifyFE","link":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/category\/amplifyfe\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2023\/06\/image3-3.jpg?fit=549%2C413&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2023\/06\/image3-3.jpg?fit=549%2C413&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2023\/06\/image3-3.jpg?fit=549%2C413&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10468,"url":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/2022\/12\/digital-badges-add-to-your-badge-collection-via-the-amplifyfe-community-space\/","url_meta":{"origin":10439,"position":5},"title":"Digital Badges! Add to your badge collection via the AmplifyFE Community Space","author":"Christina Vines","date":"21 December 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"In our sector, we know that stickers and badges are not just enjoyed at school. There\u2019s something special about earning something tangible that you can show off, even if it\u2019s just to yourself, in your own diary or notebook. Digital badges can provide this feeling of value and kudos in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "#AmplifyFE"","block_context":{"text":"#AmplifyFE","link":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/category\/amplifyfe\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Add to your badge collection","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2022\/12\/Copy-of-Blog-Cover-700-%C3%97-216px.png?fit=700%2C216&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2022\/12\/Copy-of-Blog-Cover-700-%C3%97-216px.png?fit=700%2C216&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2022\/12\/Copy-of-Blog-Cover-700-%C3%97-216px.png?fit=700%2C216&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2022\/12\/Copy-of-Blog-Cover-700-%C3%97-216px.png?fit=700%2C216&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6CxU9-2In","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10439","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1970"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10439"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10439\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10457,"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10439\/revisions\/10457"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10440"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10439"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10439"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10439"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}