threshold concepts as an approach to pedagogic research jan smith caple, university of strathclyde...

Threshold Concepts as an Threshold Concepts as an approach to pedagogic researchapproach to pedagogic research

Jan SmithCAPLE, University of Strathclyde

jan.smith@strath.ac.uk

• Transformative learning

• Nature of disciplines

• Methods

• Application

Transformative learning

Biglan’s Typology (1973)

Hard Soft

Pure

Applied

Physics

Engineering Education

History

Economics

ApplicationSome under-represented disciplines, particularly arts and humanities, (some) social sciences

Interdisciplinary areas, especially perhaps PGI

Curriculum design

Assessment

Professional learning

Visual methods

What are your interests or issues?

• Summary and extensive bibliography: http://www.ee.ucl.ac.uk/~mflanaga/thresholds.html

• Videos from 1st Threshold conference: http://www.strath.ac.uk/caple/newsandevents/pastevents/

• Mailing list (pretty dormant!) http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/TCS.html

• Useful things...

• What’s missing, or more needed?

• Feedback/comments/observations?

Thank you. jan.smith@strath.ac.uk