Interdisciplinary teaching approaches inculcate skillsets that promotes critical thinking and instil integrated learning experiences. Consequently, educational institutions of higher learning (IHL) worldwide are establishing interdisciplinary teaching approaches so as to equip students with abilities to solve complex multi-dimensional problems. In practice, teaching interdisciplinary courses is challenging as educators optimise content that embraces breadth and depth of discipline-specific information while ensuring effective integration of multiple disciplines. The variation in interdisciplinary teaching led us to question if there are persistent themes that drive successful practices in IHLs. We reviewed the fifty most-cited research publications on interdisciplinary teaching practices to firstly, elucidate how success were measured and secondly, identify persistent themes in conflicts or challenges faced by the educators of interdisciplinary courses. The majority (n=31) of these studies were qualitative in nature, 14 were quantitative, and the remaining five included both approaches. Quantitative studies focus on student feedback and performance metrices, while quantitative ones included reflection and personal observations. In addition to resolving conflicts on differences in pedagogical approaches, these authors cited professional development (48%) and personal satisfaction (28%) as success indicators for courses. Authors also measured the successful implementation of their teaching practices based on impacts to students in academic performance (44%) and development of soft skills (34%). Two common broad themes were cited as challenges for educators—inadequate institutional support (32%) and poor commitment towards resource needs (44%). From the outcomes of this study, we propose a framework that can serve as a roadmap for educators exploring involvement in interdisciplinary teaching.

Authors:
Zeehan Jaafar, National University of Singapore, Singapore
Jiajun Lam, National University of Singapore, Singapore

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Zeehan Jaafar is at the Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore. She is keeping on exploring topics focusing on interdisciplinary teaching and learning, and the activities that encourage cross disciplinary integration.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Sunday Schedule

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