Chemical equilibrium is listed as one of the most complicated concepts to learn, and the origin of this phenomenon is attributed to misconceptions, teaching-related problems, and the use of inappropriate didactic approaches. At the same time, assessment is a crucial fragment of educational activities although its relevance as a learning strategy is underestimated. For that reason, we designed and applied unique assessment approaches related to chemical equilibrium to 33 high school students at Colegio Mayor de San Bartolome (Bogotá, Colombia). The results suggested that assessment instruments focused on the identified misconceptions might reduce the impact (of the misconceptions), and students were able to build concepts related to chemical equilibrium whilst they were being assessed. Problems associated with forward and reverse reactions, differences between initial and equilibrium concentrations, and the indiscriminate use of Le Chatelier’s principle were approached by students and significant improvement was achieved through the assessment. Changes associated with assessment perceptions were accomplished and the proposed strategy suggests that it is plausible to learn during the assessment moment.

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Purpose The aim of this paper is to present a vision for university educator professional development, based on self-analysis of pedagogical styles and production of knowledge about the practices that promote education for sustainable development (ESD). Design/methodology/approach The “STSE” course is part of the department’s Professional Development Program. The course aims to articulate the relationship between ESD processes and university educator training through reflection on their practices. To accomplish this objective, the course promotes interdisciplinary groups of educators from different backgrounds. These groups are encouraged to introspect regarding their pedagogical styles. A survey is applied to encourage self-analysis of the four pedagogical style dimensions. Findings University educators adopt their own pedagogical styles based on the evolution of their practices. This information is useful in generating education, formation and transformation of new professionals in their respective fields. This knowledge also raises questions about ESD, and the construction of processes, values and attitudes to aid this education. Research limitations/implications This paper only describes the characterization stage of the university educator pedagogical styles through practice-related self-analysis Originality/value This study builds pedagogical knowledge, promotes higher education transformation for sustainable development and strengthens the quality of university education.

The concepts of Environment and Environmental Education (EE) were characterized by a sample of teachers from four rural schools in Bogotá. EE currents were regarded as a theoretical reference (Sauvé, 2010), an aspect considered for the methodology and analysis of information. Interviews were conducted by applying the Multiple Item Classification and using environmental news images. The aim was for teachers to make classifications according to their knowledge and experiences. Based on their own descriptions, the classifications were categorized pursuant to EE currents. The information obtained made it possible to establish that educators have different ways of addressing the environmental issue and associating it with their educational practice. There was a strong tendency to assume that the Environment and EE are a biological and conservationist issue, basic aspects for life in the countryside.