Background information

Objectives

At the core of the IMP>ACT assessment framework are the concepts of action competence (key observable learning outcome of SCCE) and action-orientation (key qualities of teaching, driving learning in SCCE). IMP>ACT will design and validate the framework in a user-centred, iterative approach through small-scale interventions, followed by six large-scale case studies,selected to cover the lifelong learning scope of SCCE. IMP>ACT brings together an interdisciplinary consortium with partners from SCCE research, policy and practice.

Action Competence

"Commitment, willingness and ability to take action"

"All actions are behaviors, but not all behaviors are actions"

Action:

• Decided upon by those who act
• Comes from a commitment to/ connection with a controversial issue
• Deliberated and intended as a contribution to solving that issue

(Mogensen & Schnack, 2010, Sass et al., 2020)

(Sinakou et al., 2019​, Van Poeck et al., 2023)

More readings on action competence:

• Sinakou, Donche, Boeve-de Pauw, & Van Petegem. (2019). Designing Powerful Learning Environments in Education for Sustainable Development: A Conceptual Framework. Sustainability, 11(21), 5994. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11215994
• Sass, W., De Maeyer, S., Boeve-de Pauw, J., & Van Petegem, P. (2024). Effectiveness of education for sustainability: The importance of an action-oriented approach. Environmental Education Research, 30(4), 479–498. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2023.2229543
• Sass, W., Boeve-de Pauw, J., Olsson, D., Gericke, N., De Maeyer, S., & Van Petegem, P. (2020). Redefining action competence: The case of sustainable development. The Journal of Environmental Education, 51(4), 292–305. https://doi.org/10.1080/00958964.2020.1765132
• Schönstein, R. F., & Budke, A. (2024). Teaching action competence in education for sustainable development – a qualitative study on teachers’ ideas, opinions, attitudes and self-conceptions. Frontiers in Education, 8, 1256849. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1256849
• European Commission. Joint Research Centre. (2020). Sustainability competences: A systematic literature review. Publications Office. https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2760/200956

Methodology

IMP>ACT applies a participatory design approach to its research and development activities, including relevant knowledge actors and users by means of co-design, co-creation and co-assessment. Through participatory design research, we aim to engage these stakeholders in the design process of the IMP>ACT assessment framework, to ensure that the framework is effective, relevant, and inclusive of their contexts and needs. Our approach to participatory design research involves identifying and recruiting stakeholders, co-designing research questions, collecting, analysing, and interpreting data, knowledge dissemination, and enacting change.