Faculty Reflection: George Pomeroy
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Course(s): GEO 444: Environmental Land Use Planning
A Success Story in Programmatic Change
While the modules are all well explained and provide plenty of detail as to substance and execution, the biggest challenge in using the Integrate materials is folding them into current curriculum, including specific courses such as my GEO 444: Environmental Land Use Planning course. Many of our courses do generally speak to sustainability in a general sense, or at least have a "bias of environmental concern." So, adapting the materials in some ways makes plenty of sense. At the same time, the subsequent activities / materials but ALSO be adjusted – which takes additional time. In other words, in adopting the materials, a segment of the course takes a much different direction and more adjustments must be made beyond strictly that bit of content. See below for the specific course.
Incorporating InTeGrate Materials
The natural hazards module was reasonably "integrated" (no pun intended, but it is there!), as it could be modified to what I already teach with natural hazards. With respect to Unit 1, the materials were improvements over what I had done more generally with that content and could be "dropped in to" current lecture / discussion activities. Indeed, the Unit 1 materials were more clear, deliberate, and tied more closely to sustainably than my traditional approach.
Adaptations
The discussion/brainstorming of hazards pertinent in our region was streamlined, because many students already are sensitive to and are aware of which hazards are more prominent locally. Plus, most of our students are "regionally local" so there isn't a diversity of responses.
Outcomes and Evidence
Greater depth of conceptual mastery by working through concepts instead of merely being presented with them.
General Comments and Notes:
As above, since our majors courses have a stronger foundation of environmental content, some aspects of adoption are easier. On the other hand, sometimes use of Integrate materials leads to a course taking a different trajectory / pathway, and demands more adjustments beyond simply adopting a module. It is analogous to an automobile – parts of courses aren't simply interchangeable. Sometimes changing one place (i.e., "the engine") necessitates changes in other places (i.e., "needed transmission changes").
Also, participation in the Integrate program brought additional co- and extra- curricular benefits to campus. Integrate participation / activity fortified ongoing efforts to raise the profile of sustainability in courses, in club activities, and in leading to a "culture shift" on campus. The Outdoor Nation participation, summer seminar / miniconference, and internship related initiatives all complemented one another. Additionally, the publicity served to underscore the importance of sustainability to academic officers, such as our Provost.