The constructive alignment (CA) of university teaching has received considerable attention from a policy-making perspective, but much less so from a student perspective. Against this background, we explored the relationships between CA and student motivation, and between CA and perceived learning demands. Fifty-six students from two second-year…

This article explores influences on the development of collaborative learning practices in schools. Evidence from three cases in three countries is detailed and analyzed, using a theoretical framework concerned with school curricula: aims and intended learning outcomes; syllabus, learning and teaching methods; and assessment. In each of the three…

Several widespread approaches to Education for Sustainable Consumption (ESC) have emerged from the tradition of consumer information. A major shortcoming of such cognitive-focused approaches is their limited capacity to facilitate reflection on the affective processes underpinning people's engagement with consumption. More holistic pedagogies are…

According to the model of constructive alignment, learners adjust their learning strategies to the announced assessment (backwash effect). Hence, when teaching for understanding, the assessment method should be aligned with this teaching goal to ensure that learners engage in corresponding learning strategies. A quasi-experimental field study with…

Purpose: This paper aims to present an experience-based learning framework that provides a bottom-up, student-centered entrance point for the development of systems thinking, normative and collaborative competencies in sustainability. Design/methodology/approach: The framework combines mental mapping with exploratory walking. It interweaves…

Analyzed self-regulatory strategies of goal setting and goal striving in 3 experiments involving 55 German middle school students, 20 German young adults, and 39 German college students. Results show that contrasting fantasy about a desired future with present reality and forming implementation intentions are effective self-regulatory strategies…

Argues that all forms of education have difficulty moving from knowledge to competent acting. Discusses practical exercise as an alternative to bridge the gap. Recognizes that exercises have to be embedded in trans-situational aims and planning and must include inert emotions. Proposes different training schemes for methodological-didactic and…