Using photovoice to explore the impact on a student community after including cross-sectional content on environmental sustainability in a university subject: a case study

Abstract

Purpose Higher education institutions have a significant impact in preparing future generations for the creation of a sustainable society. By formulating appropriate curricula, the university can shape student personality with sustainability concerns. This study aims to present the results of a teaching approach on environmental sustainability using the photovoice methodology. A guided visit to the sewage treatment plant of A Coruna was included as a teaching activity in the “Microbiology and Parasitology” classes of the podiatry degree at University of A Coruna. The teaching objectives were to reinforce contents through observation and to introduce citizen awareness on sustainability and responsible water use in a cross-sectional manner. Design/methodology/approach In this case study, different steps of photovoice as a qualitative participatory action methodology were developed. A total of 43 university students willingly participated with their photographs. Qualitative data were collected from the students’ photovoice visit reports and a subsequent discussion group. Thematic content analysis was performed manually. Findings This study explored the impact of an environmental sustainability teaching activity on the university student community. Six main categories emerged from the qualitative analysis: savings/waste of water, misuse of the water closet, disposing of used oil, solid waste/trash, reuse of clean water and reuse/reduction of the use of plastics. The cross-sectional findings on the needs of education and awareness of sustainability in the community and companies are presented. Originality/value The findings provide evidence of the ability of photovoice method as a pedagogical tool to promote reflection and change in the university community and to introduce sustainability cross-sectional content in green campus curricula. This photovoice experiment is simple and feasible to implement and has a very low economic cost, as long as there are qualified educators.

TSC Opinion

C’était connu mais il fallait le démontrer, l’apprentissage par l’expérience donne d’excellents résultats quand il s’agit d’adapter son mode de vie. Cette étude présente une expérience qui a été réalisée dans une université américaine pour sensibiliser les étudiants à la pollution plastique dans différentes situations : les achats, la consommation, la gestion des déchets, l’économie des ressources. La particularité de cette expérience a été de mettre les étudiants en situation sur le terrain et pas simplement dans des salles de cours. L’impact sur les habitudes de vie après cette période de formation a été évalué. Les résultats montrent que les changements sont significatifs. Les auteurs soulignent que cette méthode est simple à implémenter et qu’elle a un coût très faible. Elle pourrait être mise en œuvre facilement par des enseignants qualifiés. Ceci montre bien que toutes les opérations de nettoyage de plage, de reconnaissance des plastiques de leurs origines… sont autant de sensibilisations efficaces des consommateurs pour faire les bons choix dans leurs produits et dans la gestion de leurs déchets.