What is the CoDesignS ESD Framework?
The CoDesignS ESD Framework provides an easy-to-implement pedagogic method for embedding Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in curriculum design using a co-design and co-creation approach.
The CoDesignS ESD Toolkit is based on UNESCO's key competencies for sustainability (UNESCO, 2017), the ESD guidelines published in the UK by QAA and Advance HE (2021) and the original CoDesignS framework (Toro-Troconis et al., 2019; Lewis, 2020).
The CoDesignS ESD Toolkit takes the form of a set of cards and is freely available to download. The CoDesignS ESD Toolkit and Planner have been developed to support the implementation of the CoDesignS ESD Framework, encouraging a co-creation and co-design approach (Toro-Troconis, 2021).
The Three CoDesignS ESD Pillars
The CoDesignS ESD Framework is built on three core pillars that guide the curriculum design process:
Key Competencies for Sustainability
Relevant to all SDGs (UNESCO, 2017) and classified under: Ways of Thinking, Ways of Practicing and Ways of Being — as per the ESD guidelines published by QAA and Advance HE (2021).
Specific Learning Objectives for the SDGs
Targeting the cognitive, socio-emotional and behavioural domains to engage students in a transformative educational experience (Sipos et al., 2008; Cotton & Winter, 2010).
Transformative Pedagogies & Teaching Methods
Delivered online or in a blended learning fashion that support participation and collaboration, problem-orientation, inter and transdisciplinarity and the linking of formal and informal learning (UNESCO, 2017).
CoDesignS ESD @ UNESCO ESD-Net Learning Webinar – March 2023
The CoDesignS ESD Framework was presented during the UNESCO ESD-Net Learning Webinar. An interactive workshop was delivered, offering participants from various member states the opportunity to learn about the framework and apply it in practice.
The Toolkit Cards – A 6-Step Approach
The CoDesignS ESD Toolkit cards introduce the 3 pillars through a structured 6-step approach:
Sustainable Development Goals
The first step introduces the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Key Competencies for Sustainability
The key competencies for sustainability are organised under ways of thinking, ways of practising, and ways of being, following the recent ESD guidelines published in the UK by QAA and Advance HE (2021). The key competencies describe the specific attributes individuals need for action and self-organisation in various complex situations tackling the SDGs and climate change issues.
Specific Learning Objectives for the SDGs
This step introduces the specific learning objectives for the SDGs. The cognitive domain (Head) comprises knowledge and thinking skills required to understand the SDGs, the socio-emotional domain (Heart) includes social skills that enable learners to collaborate, negotiate and communicate to promote the SDGs. And finally, the behavioural domain (Hands) describes action competencies.
Learning Descriptors
This step introduces the learning descriptors used in the CoDesignS Toolkit. The first learning descriptors are based on The Open University Activity Types Framework. The second introduces the internationally-recognized UK Professional Standards Framework (PSF) from AdvanceHE — meaning the CoDesignS ESD Toolkit can be used as evidence when applying for HEA Fellowship.
Key Pedagogical Approaches
Different verbs associated with the specific learning objectives for the SDGs (Cognitive, Socio-emotional and Behavioural) are presented. The verbs help identify the domain associated with a specific learning outcome or competency and the best pedagogical approach and teaching methods.
Analysis of the Learning
In this final step, the different learning activity types selected for the delivery of the learning episode are analyzed. The time allocated is reviewed then added up to estimate the time spent on the different activity types (assimilative, finding and handling information, communicative, productive and practice) to ensure a balanced learning experience.
Download the Toolkit – Available in 4 Languages
The CoDesignS ESD Toolkit is freely available to download in four languages. Click on your preferred language to access the toolkit:
English
CoDesignS ESD Toolkit
Español
CoDesignS ESD Toolkit
Français
CoDesignS ESD Toolkit
العربية
CoDesignS ESD Toolkit
The toolkit is freely available under a Creative Commons License. Select your language on the download page to get started.
Toolkit Cases
The CoDesignS ESD Toolkit Cases can be applied to different scenarios, encouraging a co-creation and co-design approach among academics and disciplines, and helping to contextualise and operationalise ESD competencies and practices.
CoDesignS ESD Curriculum / Toolkit Planner
Learn about the CoDesignS ESD Curriculum Planner to map and track programmes, modules, and learning activities against sustainability indicators — supporting academics to collaboratively design curricula and institutional stakeholders to assess alignment with sustainability and learning design frameworks.
We are pleased to announce the release of the new version of the CoDesignS ESD Curriculum/Toolkit Planner. This custom-built platform has been developed to bring together all CoDesignS programmes, tools, and dashboards into a single integrated environment, creating a more streamlined and user-friendly experience for educators, facilitators, and curriculum designers.
Get Involved
There are different ways of collaborating with us. Contact us and let us know how you would like to contribute!
References
Ahmad N, Toro-Troconis M, Ibahrine M, Armour R, Tait V, Reedy K, Malevicius R, Dale V, Tasler N, Inzolia Y. (2023). CoDesignS Education for Sustainable Development: A Framework for Embedding Education for Sustainable Development in Curriculum Design. Sustainability. 2023; 15(23):16460. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152316460
Varga-Atkins, Toro-Troconis, Ahmad (2024). Advances of Learning Design in Education for Sustainable Development: Experiences from the Learning Design and ESD Bootcamp 2022. Special issue of the Open Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (OSTL) Journal. View journal issue
Toro-Troconis, M., Inzolia, Y. and Ahmad, N. (2023). 'Exploring Attitudes towards Embedding Education for Sustainable Development in Curriculum Design'. International Journal of Higher Education; 12:4, pp 42–54. https://doi.org/10.5430/ijhe.v12n4p42
The CoDesignS ESD framework (cards and cases) are available under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial – Non-derivatives 4.0 International License. The CoDesignS ESD Toolkit Planner is available under different plans via ALDESD.