Missing concordance between knowledge and efficacy among Danish science teacher students regarding education for sustainable development

We conducted a nation-wide survey of Danish science teacher students specializing in science subjects, in order to investigate their knowledge, attitude and self-efficacy on central aspects of education for sustainable development. Our study finds, in accordance with previous publications, a high degree of positive attitude towards the importance of teaching sustainability, and a significant positive correlation between self-efficacy and self-assessed knowledge about the topics in the survey. However, in our study both self-efficacy and self-assessed knowledge correlate negatively with actual knowledge, indicating that some of our participants are subject to an overinflated self-assessment while others may underestimate their proficiency within the topics. In cognitive psychology, this phenomenon is known as the Dunning-Kruger effect, and we discuss its implications for how best to ensure quality in education for sustainable development in our schools. Mette Hesselholt Henne Hansen is senior lecturer at VIA University College. Her background in evolutionary genetics has fueled a strong interest in quantitative approaches in educational research. She is particularly interested in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), teaching biodiversity, and the role of inquiry and PBL approaches towards reinforcing scientific literacy. Martin Krabbe Sillasen is docent in science didactics at VIA University College. He has 22 years’ experience with preand in-service teacher training. His research interest focuses on science teachers’ professional development, teachers’ engagement in educational change processes, inquiry based learning, STEM-didactics, Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and the use of ICT and modelling in science education. METTE HESSELHOLT HENNE HANSEN VIA University College, Silkeborg, Denmark mhhh@via.dk MARTIN KRABBE SILLASEN VIA University College, Silkeborg, Denmark msil@via.dk