Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Strengths and Weaknesses of an E-learning Program in Environmental Sciences at Universidade Aberta, Portugal

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Teaching Education for Sustainable Development at University Level

Part of the book series: World Sustainability Series ((WSUSE))

Abstract

Earlier research studies have shown that e-learning higher education is a powerful system within teaching and education for sustainable development. In spite of the advantages of independency of time and place, compared to traditional face to face, some barriers are found showing the importance of evaluating the effectiveness of e-learning system. This paper aims to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the 1st cycle undergraduate program of environmental sciences at the Portuguese Distance Learning Education University (Universidade Aberta, Portugal). The methods included (i) data analysis relating to the candidate’s enrolment and students’ progression from the Academic Office registry of UAb; (ii) SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) of the undergraduate program (iii) inquiry by interview to student’s representatives of management councils and the university ombudsman to evaluate attitudes, barriers and motivators towards e-learning. Although higher levels of motivation, satisfaction and aptitude with e-learning of the 1st undergraduate program in environmental sciences at UAb were identified, weaknesses, namely the need to improve self-organization and time management. Recommendations to overcome the weakness found are given and new educational and teaching paths to achieve sustainability are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Amador, F., Martinho, A. P., Bacelar Nicolau, P., Caeiro, S., & Oliveira, C. M. B. (2015). Education for sustainable development in higher education: Evaluating coherence between theory and praxis. Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education, 40(6), 867–882.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Archambault, L., & Warren, A. (2014). Leveraging e-learning to prepare future educators to teach Sustainability topics. In U. M. Azeiteiro, W. Leal Filho & S. Caeiro (Eds.), E-learning and education for sustainability (pp. 151–166). the series Umweltbildung, Umweltkommunikation und Nachhaltigkeit—Environmental Education, Communication and Sustainability, Peter Lang.

    Google Scholar 

  • Azeiteiro, U. M., Bacelar-Nicolau, P., Caetano, F. J. P., & Caeiro, S. (2015). Education for sustainable development through e-learning in higher education: The Portuguese experience. Journal of Cleaner Production, 106, 308–319.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Azeiteiro, U. M., Leal Filho, W., & Caeiro, S., (Eds.). (2014). E-learning and education for sustainability (290p). In the series Umweltbildung, Umweltkommunikation und Nachhaltigkeit—Environmental Education, Communication and Sustainability, Peter Lang.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bacelar-Nicolau, P., Caeiro, S., Martinho, A. P., & Azeiteiro, U. M. (2015). Attitudes, barriers and motivators as factors for sustainability of higher education e-learning programs at Universidade Aberta, Portugal. In W. Leal Filho, L. Brandli, O. Kuznetsova & A. Paço (Eds.), Integrative approaches to sustainable development at university level: Making the links (part II) (pp. 567–582). World Sustainability Series. Berlin: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bacelar-Nicolau, P., Caeiro, S., Martinho, A. P., Azeiteiro, U. M., & Amador, F. (2009). E-learning for environment. The Universidade Aberta (Portuguese Open Distance University) experience in the environmental sciences post-graduate courses. International Journal of Sustainability in High Education, 10(4), 354–367.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bacelar-Nicolau, P., Martinho, A. P., Amador, F., Caeiro, S., & Azeiteiro, U. M. (2012). Online learning for sustainability: The student perception in an environmental science post-graduation. In F. Gonçalves, J. Fernando, R. Pereira, W. Leal Filho & U. M. Azeiteiro (Eds.), Contributions to sustainability (pp. 281–294). In the series Umweltbildung, Umweltkommunikation und Nachhaltigkeit—Environmental Education, Communication and Sustainability, Vol. 33. Peter Lang.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bardin, L. (1977). Análise de Conteúdo. Edições 70, Lisbon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnett, V. (2002). Sample survey principles and methods (3rd ed.). London: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caird, S., Lane, A., & Swithenby, G. (2014). Developing e-learning materials for teaching industrial ecology. In U. M. Azeiteiro, W. Leal Filho & S. Caeiro (Eds.), E-learning and education for sustainability (pp. 105–116). In the series Umweltbildung, Umweltkommunikation und Nachhaltigkeit—Environmental Education, Communication and Sustainability, Peter Lang.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diamond, S., & Irwin, B. (2013). Using e-learning for student sustainability literacy: Framework and review. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 14(4), 338–348.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Halog, A., & Dishman, G. (2014). Greeninh higher education qualification programmes with online learning. In U. M. Azeiteiro, W. Leal Filho & S. Caeiro (Eds.), E-learning and education for sustainability (pp. 83–104). In the series Umweltbildung, Umweltkommunikation und Nachhaltigkeit—Environmental Education, Communication and Sustainability, Peter Lang.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leal Filho, W. (2014). E-learning for sustainable development: the way ahead. In U. M. Azeiteiro, W. Leal Filho & S. Caeiro (Eds.), E-learning and education for sustainability (pp. 151–166). In the series Umweltbildung, Umweltkommunikation und Nachhaltigkeit—Environmental Education, Communication and Sustainability, Peter Lang.

    Google Scholar 

  • Learned, E. P. C., Christensen, R., Andrews, K., & William, D. (1969). Business policy: Text and cases matrix (revised edition, Ricahard D. Irwin).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lozano, R. (2011). The state of sustainability reporting in universities. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 12(1), 67–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lozano, R., Ceulemans, K., & Scarff Seatter, C. (2015). Teaching organisational change management for sustainability: Designing and delivering a course at the University of Leeds to better prepare future sustainability change agents. Journal of Cleaner Production, 106, 205–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martinho, A. P., Caeiro, S., Caetano, F., Azeiteiro, U., & Bacelar-Nicolau, P. (2014). Training and employability, competences from an e-learning undergraduate program in environmental sciences. In U. Azeiteiro, W. Leal Filho, & S. Caeiro (Eds.), E-learning and sustainability (pp. 47–58). In the series Umweltbildung, Umweltkommunikation und nachhaltigkeit e environmental education, communication and sustainability, Peter Lang.

    Google Scholar 

  • Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. (2005). Ecosystems and human well-being: Synthesis. Washington, DC: Island Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, J. (2005). Seven recommendations for creating sustainability education at the university level: A guide for change agents. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 6(4), 326–339.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muilenberg, L., & Berge, Z. (2005). Student barriers to online learning: A factor analytic study. Distance Education, 26(1), 29–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oliveira, C. P., Martinho, A. P., Caeiro, S., Amador, F., & Caetano, F. (2012). Field activities within an undergraduate program of environmental sciences: A b-learning case study. In F. Gonçalves, J. Fernando, R. Pereira, W. Leal Filho & U. M. Azeiteiro (Eds.), Contributions to sustainability (pp. 255–280). In the series Umweltbildung, Umweltkommunikation und Nachhaltigkeit—Environmental Education, Communication and Sustainability, Peter Lang.

    Google Scholar 

  • Panda, S., & Mishra, S. (2007). E-learning in a mega open university: Faculty attitude, barriers and motivators. Educational Media International, 44(4), 323–338.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pereira, A., Mendes, A. Q., Morgado, L., Amante, L., & Bidarra, J. (2008). Universidade Aberta’s pedagogical model for distance education © (109p). Lisbon: Universidade Aberta.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramos, T., Caeiro, S., van Hoof, B., Lozano, R., Huisingh, D., & Ceulemans, K. (2015). Experiences from the implementation of sustainable development in higher education institutions: Environmental management for sustainable universities. Journal of Cleaner Production, 106, 3–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Remington-Doucette, S., Connell, K., Armstrong, C., & Musgrove, S. (2013). Assessing sustainability education in a transdisciplinary undergraduate course focused on real-world problem solving. A case for disciplinary grounding. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 14(4), 404–433.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2007). Research methods for business students (4th ed., p. 624p). Harlow, England: Pearson Education Limited.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sibbel, A. (2014). An experience in developing and implementing blended learning for sustainability. In U. M. Azeiteiro, W. Leal Filho & S. Caeiro (Eds.), E-learning and education for sustainability (pp. 15–28). In the series Umweltbildung, Umweltkommunikation und Nachhaltigkeit—Environmental Education, Communication and Sustainability, Peter Lang.

    Google Scholar 

  • UAb. (2015). UAb en numerous. http://www.uab.pt/web/guest/uab/uab-em-numeros/inqueritos/ciclo1-2013-2014. Retrieved May 10, 2015.

  • UN. (2015). Full report of the open working group of the general assembly on sustainable development goals. A/68/970. United Nations, http://undocs.org/A/68/970. Accessed September 10, 2015.

  • UNESCO. (2005). United nations decade of education for sustainable development (2005–2014). International implementation scheme. Section for education for sustainable development (ED/PEQ/ESD). Division for the promotion of quality education. France: UNESCO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Warburton, K. (2003). Deep learning and education for sustainability. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 4(1), 44–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sciences and Technology, Universidade Aberta, Lisbon, Portugal

    Ana Paula Martinho, Paula Vaz-Fernandes, Carla Padrel de Oliveira, Paula Bacelar-Nicolau, Ulisses Miranda Azeiteiro & Sandra Caeiro

  2. Laboratory of Distance Education and e-Learning, Universidade Aberta, Lisbon, Portugal

    Ana Paula Martinho

  3. Centre for Public Policy and Administration, ISCSP, University of Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal

    Paula Vaz-Fernandes

  4. Centro de Química Estrutural, IST, University of Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal

    Carla Padrel de Oliveira

  5. Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

    Paula Bacelar-Nicolau & Ulisses Miranda Azeiteiro

  6. Center for Environmental and Sustainability Research, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal

    Sandra Caeiro

Authors
  1. Ana Paula Martinho
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Paula Vaz-Fernandes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Carla Padrel de Oliveira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Paula Bacelar-Nicolau
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Ulisses Miranda Azeiteiro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Sandra Caeiro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ana Paula Martinho .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Metropolitan University, HAW Hamburg and Manchester, Hamburg, Germany

    Walter Leal Filho

  2. University of Malta, Msida, Malta

    Paul Pace

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Martinho, A.P., Vaz-Fernandes, P., de Oliveira, C.P., Bacelar-Nicolau, P., Azeiteiro, U.M., Caeiro, S. (2016). Strengths and Weaknesses of an E-learning Program in Environmental Sciences at Universidade Aberta, Portugal. In: Leal Filho, W., Pace, P. (eds) Teaching Education for Sustainable Development at University Level. World Sustainability Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32928-4_4

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation