Campus Sustainability Tours: Exploring an Uncharted Tool

Autor/inn/en	Trahan, Ellen R.; North, Leslie A.; Gripshover, Margaret M.; Huss, Jeanine M.
Titel	Campus Sustainability Tours: Exploring an Uncharted Tool
Quelle	In: International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 18 (2017) 6, S.908-922 (15 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1467-6370
DOI	10.1108/IJSHE-12-2015-0200
Schlagwörter	Sustainability; Universities; Questionnaires; Interviews; Program Development; Surveys; Pretests Posttests; Case Studies; Mixed Methods Research; Conservation (Environment); Signs; Guides; Web Sites; Printed Materials; College Students; Student Attitudes; Consciousness Raising; Kentucky + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Nachhaltigkeit; University; Universität; Fragebogen; Interviewing; Interviewtechnik; Programmplanung; Survey; Umfrage; Befragung; Case study; Fallstudie; Case Study; Conservation; Environment; Konservierung; Bewahung; Umwelt; Zeichensystem; Handbuch; Leitfaden; Web-Design; Collegestudent; Schülerverhalten; Bewusstseinsbildung
Abstract	Purpose: This paper aims to explore the development narrative and usage of environmental sustainability tours available at universities and takes an in-depth look into the Western Kentucky University (WKU) Green Tour. Design/methodology/approach: Questionnaires and interviews were conducted with sustainability leaders involved in tours at their university to discover how they were developed and used. An assessment of the WKU Green Tour used surveys and pre- and post-tests to determine the reach of the tour to the campus population, student learning and faculty use. Findings: There is a lack of data on sustainability tours, making it difficult to design new tours and validate their status as an essential tool. In the case of WKU, the need for data was confirmed, as current practices that were assumed to be effective proved ineffective. Multiple suggestions for improved tours are provided. Research limitations/implications: The case study used in this paper is not representative of all university sustainability tours as they can vary widely. Given the lack of research on the subject, especially quantitative research, it is a valuable study. Practical implications: Though sustainability tours are touted as a valuable tool for all campuses, more data are needed to validate this claim. Data suggest the tours are effective tools for increasing knowledge, but there is need for further assessment of tours and how they can be used to create a sustainably literate campus. Originality/value: This study is the first to assess sustainability tours using mixed-methods. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01