Developing a Data-Driven Micro-Credential framework to enhance Primary School Sustainability Programmes

International Renewable Energy Systems Integration (IRESI) group, School of Business, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland.

Abstract

This study proposes the design of a micro-credential system aimed at helping primary schools track, measure, and improve sustainability practices, ultimately assisting them with their sustainability curriculum. The system employs a data-driven approach that leverages analytics, gamification, and user-friendly technology to engage teachers and facilitate sustainable actions. The key objectives include developing a framework for sustainability milestones, offering insights through data analytics for performance improvement, and fostering engagement via gamified features such as badges and leaderboards. This study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining a survey of 95 primary school teachers—designed via semi-formal interviews and analysed using descriptive statistics and K-Means clustering—with qualitative analysis of eight curated Green School case studies, processed using sentence-level BERTopic modelling for thematic exploration. The study includes the development of a structured micro-credential framework outlining tasks necessary for certification, a progress dashboard with visualisations and personalised feedback to incentivise participation. It focuses on primary schools engaged in the Irish Green Schools Award programme as a test market. The paper presents an analysis of the challenges and opportunities faced by primary schools as they try to incorporate sustainability into their curriculums, and discusses the design of a prototype model showcasing the system’s potential to transform sustainability efforts in educational settings. By integrating these components, the micro-credential system aims to make sustainability practices more accessible, measurable, and engaging for primary schools, driving significant improvements in environmental performance and fostering long-term sustainability within educational settings.