Education for the C21stAn interdisciplinary approach

A Presentation for the Franklin University Teaching and Learning Conference

June 2014

Goals Define Interdisciplinary Studies (IDST) Introduce the IDST research methodology Discuss the traits and characteristics

developed by interdisciplinarians Identify the appeal of IDST graduates to

employers Describe the IDST program at Franklin

University Explain why IDST matters in C21st

Source: Picture Source: Wikimedia Commons

Interdisciplinary Studies is a process of answering a question, solving a problem, or addressing a topic that is too broad or complex to be dealt with adequately by a single discipline [… it ] draws on disciplinary perspectives and integrates their insights to produce a more comprehensive understanding or cognitive advancement (Repko, 2008, p.12)

Repko’s Interdisciplinary Research Process

A. Drawing on disciplinary insights

1. Define the problem or state the research question

2. Justify using an interdisciplinary approach

3. Identify relevant disciplines

4. Conduct the literature search

5. Develop adequacy in each relevant discipline

6. Analyze the problem and evaluate each insight or theory

B. Integrating disciplinary insights

7. Identify conflicts between insights or theories and their sources

8. Create common ground between concepts and theories

9. Construct a more comprehensive understanding

10. Reflect on, test, and communicate the understanding

Source: Repko (2008, p. 142)

Step 1 Define Problem or State Research Question

Step 2 Justify Using an Interdisciplinary Approach

1.Is the problem sufficiently complex and open to further investigation? Or is the answer already known, readily ‘googled’ for an answer that is generally agreed to be correct?

2.Does the problem spill into multiple (or at least two) disciplinary domains in order to sufficiently address the problem? Or does it fall clearly into one disciplinary domain that is adequate and best suited to address the problem comprehensively?

Step 3 Identify Relevant Disciplines

Discipline

Step 4 Conduct Literature Search

Step 5 Develop Adequacy in each Relevant Discipline

Step 6 Analyze Problem and Evaluate each Insight or Theory

Analyze Problem and Evaluate each Insight or Theory

Analyze Problem and Evaluate each Insight or Theory

Analyze Problem and Evaluate each Insight or Theory

Where are we?A. Drawing on disciplinary insights

1. Define the problem or state the research question

2. Justify using an interdisciplinary approach

3. Identify relevant disciplines

4. Conduct the literature search

5. Develop adequacy in each relevant discipline

6. Analyze the problem and evaluate each insight or theory

B. Integrating disciplinary insights

7. Identify conflicts between insights or theories and their sources

8. Create common ground between concepts and theories

9. Construct a more comprehensive understanding

10. Reflect on, test, and communicate the understanding

Integrating Disciplinary Insights

Integrating Disciplinary Insights

Integrating Disciplinary Insights

Source: http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/more-shopping-storing/ten-organic-foods-worth-money-00000000011780/page7.html

Integrating Disciplinary Insights

Where are we?A. Drawing on disciplinary insights

1. Define the problem or state the research question

2. Justify using an interdisciplinary approach

3. Identify relevant disciplines

4. Conduct the literature search

5. Develop adequacy in each relevant discipline

6. Analyze the problem and evaluate each insight or theory

B. Integrating disciplinary insights

7. Identify conflicts between insights or theories and their sources

8. Create common ground between concepts and theories

9. Construct a more comprehensive understanding

10. Reflect on, test, and communicate the understanding

Step 7 Identify Conflicts between Insights or Theories and their Sources

Identify Conflicts between Insights or Theories and their Sources

Step 8 Create Common Ground between Concepts and Theories

Create Common Ground between Concepts and Theories

Step 9 Construct a more Comprehensive Understanding

Construct a more Comprehensive Understanding

Step 10: Reflect on, Test, and Communicate the Understanding

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Goals Define Interdisciplinary Studies (IDST) Introduce the IDST research methodology Discuss the traits and characteristics

developed by interdisciplinarians Identify the appeal of IDST graduates to

employers Describe the IDST program at Franklin

University Explain why IDST matters in C21st

Chapter 3: The IDS “Cognitive Toolkit” What is the IDS ‘Cognitive Toolkit’?

Intellectual Capacities (interdisciplinary perspective taking, critical thinking, intellectual dexterity, integration)

Values (empathy,ethical consciousness, humility, appreciation of diversity, tolerance of ambiguity, civic engagement)

Traits and Skills (Traits: entrepreneurship, love of learning, self-reflection, and Skills: communicative competence, abstract thinking, creative thinking, metacognition)

Relevance to Employers

https://iccweb.ucdavis.edu/lab/articles/Skills.htm January 28, 2014

Communications Skills(Verbal, Written, Listening)

Analytical/Research Skills(non-laboratory)

Computer/Technical Skills

Flexibility and Adaptability

Multitasking or Managing Multiple Priorities

Interpersonal Skills

Leadership/Management Skills

Multicultural Sensitivity/Awareness

Planning/Organizing

Problem-Solving, Reasoning, and Creativity

Teamwork

Relevance to Employers – ID capacities

https://iccweb.ucdavis.edu/lab/articles/Skills.htm January 28, 2014

Communications Skills(Verbal, Written, Listening)

Analytical/Research Skills(non-laboratory)

Computer/Technical Skills

Flexibility and Adaptability

Multitasking or Managing Multiple Priorities

Interpersonal Skills

Leadership/Management Skills

Multicultural Sensitivity/Awareness

Planning/Organizing

Problem-Solving, Reasoning, and Creativity

Teamwork

Intellectual Capacities • interdisciplinary perspective taking• critical thinking• intellectual dexterity• integration

Values• empathy• ethical consciousness• humility• appreciation of diversity• tolerance of ambiguity• civic engagement

Traits and Skills • entrepreneurship • love of learning• self-reflection• communicative competence• abstract thinking, creative thinking, and

metacognition

Relevance to Employers

https://iccweb.ucdavis.edu/lab/articles/Skills.htm January 28, 2014

Communications Skills(Verbal, Written, Listening)

Analytical/Research Skills(non-laboratory)

Computer/Technical Skills

Flexibility and Adaptability

Multitasking or Managing Multiple Priorities

Interpersonal Skills

Leadership/Management Skills

Multicultural Sensitivity/Awareness

Planning/Organizing

Problem-Solving, Reasoning, and Creativity

Teamwork

• communicative competence• interdisciplinary perspective taking• critical thinking• intellectual dexterity• Integration• tolerance of ambiguity• love of learning• empathy• ethical consciousness• humility• appreciation of diversity• civic engagement• entrepreneurship • self-reflection• abstract thinking, creative thinking, and

metacognition

Relevance to Employers

https://iccweb.ucdavis.edu/lab/articles/Skills.htm January 28, 2014

Communications Skills(Verbal, Written, Listening)

Analytical/Research Skills(non-laboratory)

Computer/Technical Skills

Flexibility and Adaptability

Multitasking or Managing Multiple Priorities

Interpersonal Skills

Leadership/Management Skills

Multicultural Sensitivity/Awareness

Planning/Organizing

Problem-Solving, Reasoning, and Creativity

Teamwork

• communicative competence• interdisciplinary perspective taking• critical thinking• intellectual dexterity• Integration• tolerance of ambiguity• love of learning• empathy• ethical consciousness• humility• appreciation of diversity• civic engagement• entrepreneurship • self-reflection• abstract thinking, creative thinking, and

metacognition

IDST Program at Franklin University

IDST in the Real World

Why IDST mattersSix “drivers” of the field’s continued advance

1. The complexity of nature, society, & ourselves 2. The complexity of the globalized workplace 3. The needs for systems thinking and contextual

thinking 4. The changing nature of university research 5. The public world and its pressing needs 6. A knowledge society needs both disciplinarity

and interdisciplinarity

Questions