Environmental and sustainability non-formal education for older adults

Magnus Schoultz; Johan Öhman

doi:10.3384/rela.2000-7426.6225

Authors

Magnus Schoultz The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, Department of Movement, Culture and Society https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7735-1305
Johan Öhman Örebro university, School of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1423-4233

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3384/rela.2000-7426.6225

Keywords:

older adults, education, experience, environmental, sustainability

Abstract

This study aims to explore the pedagogical potential of non-formal courses to enhance older adults' understanding of the environment and sustainable development. Individual interviews were conducted at a Swedish folk high school. The researchers employ Dewey’s concept of experience and Bildung theory. The analysis focused on the pedagogical potential of the older participants’ experiences within the course. Five themes were identified: (i) Potential to get new and deeper perspectives on nature and the environment, (ii) Potential to create critical reflection on politics, (iii) Potential to re-evaluate values and knowledge in a sustainable transformation, (iv) Potential to take responsibility for other individuals and future generations, (v) Potential to recognise the rights of other species. The results reveal that participants use prior experiences to understand course content and that voluntary folk high school courses can support intellectual and moral growth regarding environmental and sustainability issues.

Author Biographies

Magnus Schoultz, The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, Department of Movement, Culture and Society

Magnus Schoultz is a senior lecturer at the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, Department of Movement, Culture and Society. His research interests focus older adults' experiences of learning and his work is based on Dewey’s pragmatic philosophy of learning and Aaron Antonovsky’s salutogenic perspective of health.

Johan Öhman, Örebro university, School of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences

Johan Öhman is a professor at Örebro University’s School of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences, Sweden. His area of research is ethical and democratic issues within the sphere of education for sustainable development, environmental education, and outdoor education. His work is based on John Dewey’s pragmatic philosophy and view of the democratic potential of education.

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