Linking theory to practice: Education for Sustainability and learning and teaching

The title of this chapter may appear a little daunting to many teaching practitioners. However, if we view theory as being about significant educational principles for informing good teaching practice, then it is important to include some theory related to the teaching and learning of Education for Sustainability (EfS) in this book. In this chapter I will briefly outline the role of EfS before explaining how ideas about teaching and learning have changed in relatively recent times. I will then illustrate how effective teaching practice can be employed successfully with EfS by using Jensen's model of 'action competence' (Jensen 2002) as a way to engage primary students directly with sustainability issues.