CATALYZING CHANGE: EMBEDDING EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ESD) WITH THE SITUATED LEARNING MODEL

Abstract

In this research study, the Situated Learning Model (SLM) has been successfully applied to promote Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) within the context of a university course, specifically General Science. The study focuses on the development and evaluation of the SLM implementation in the Fall semester of the B.Ed. (Elementary Education) program, session 2022-2026, at a reputable Public Sector University in Lahore, Pakistan. A total of fifty-seven students voluntarily participated in the research. The effectiveness of the SLM as an ESD technique was assessed using pre-test and post-test experimental research methodologies, revealing a significant increase in students' knowledge of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additionally, through their participation in the SLM, students gained awareness of the benefits to the community and learned how to maintain an environmentally friendly lifestyle. This research demonstrates that the SLM teaching methodology is an increasingly valuable tool for developing both tangible and intangible competencies and promoting environmental awareness. It emphasizes that while conceptual knowledge may initially be intangible, it becomes tangible through real-life application and problem-solving, ultimately contributing to the ESD regime.