‘WEAVING THE FUTURE’: Embedding Interdisciplinary Learning
A workshop to explore the value of interdisciplinary learning in Education for Sustainable Development at the taught postgraduate level
Date: 18th May 2011 (10.00 to 3.45)
Venue: Centre for Active Learning, Francis Close Hall campus, University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham, GL50 4AZ
Cost: There is no cost for workshop participation
- Learn about the potential of interdisciplinary learning in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) at taught postgraduate level
- Take part in an interactive visioning exercise around interdisciplinary course development in ESD
- Contribute to discussions on the design/content of staff and student guides to support interdisciplinary learning in ESD at the taught postgraduate level
- Share examples of innovative practice in interdisciplinary learning in ESD
The workshop is part of a Higher Education Academy funded project that is researching stakeholder perceptions of interdisciplinary learning in ESD at taught postgraduate level. Please note that ESD is construed broadly - with a range of different taught postgraduate courses surveyed. Further information about the project can be found at www.glos.ac.uk/interdisciplinarymasters.
The Workshop
The workshop is organised by a multi-institutional project team, the Pedagogic Research and Scholarship Institute (PRSI) at the University of Gloucestershire, and the GEES subject centre. Four Subject Centres (GEES, BMAF, HLST and PRS) are collaborating to promote the event around their disciplinary networks. This workshop will explore interdisciplinary approaches to student learning in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) at taught Master’s level in Higher Education Institutions in the UK. Taught postgraduate developments in Education for Sustainable Development are a growth area in many UK Higher Education Institutions, but these courses have varying degrees of interdisciplinarity in the ways that their curriculum is conceived, designed and delivered. There is a dearth of research on interdisciplinary learning at taught postgraduate level and hence there is currently limited potential for research-informed curriculum development, and approaches to teaching, learning and assessment. This workshop forms part of a Higher Education Academy/ GEES funded project entitled: Interdisciplinary learning in ESD at taught postgraduate level: research-informed capacity building for curriculum development that aims to address this research gap.
Workshop aims
- to share research findings from an HE Academy/ GEES funded project that is exploring stakeholder perceptions of interdisciplinary learning at taught postgraduate level
- to engage participants in an interactive participatory research process that explores the full potential of interdisciplinary learning in ESD
- to inform the format and content of student and staff guidance on interdisciplinary learning in ESD at taught postgraduate level that will be available nationally
Contributions for workshop participants will be fully acknowledged in any outputs from the project.
Workshop process
- Share outcomes from the HE Academy/ GEES funded project on postgraduate student experiences of interdisciplinary learning in Education for Sustainable Development.
- Examine what works using participants’ observations from other HEIs about their development and delivery of interdisciplinary teaching and learning in ESD at taught postgraduate (PGT) level.
- Explore experiences of students studying in interdisciplinary learning environments within taught postgraduate courses in ESD.
- Inform guidance by looking at student/staff support needs. This will focus on how to gain most benefit from, and promote the value of, interdisciplinary learning in ESD at this level.
- Establish a network of interested practitioners, pedagogic/ESD researchers and students around the topic of interdisciplinary learning in Education for Sustainable Development at taught postgraduate level.
Who should attend?
This workshop will bring together staff, students and employers who are interested in the nature of interdisciplinary learning, and how it might be developed to deliver Education for
Sustainable Development at taught Master’s level. This includes staff who are delivering courses with an ESD focus, and those who are planning delivery in this area.
How you can contribute?
- By answering a short pre-workshop questionnaire to prime our workshop discussions
- By introducing yourself and your interests in IDL in ESD at taught postgraduate level on the project blog: interdisciplinarymasters.wordpress.com
- If you have already used interdisciplinary learning in ESD at taught postgraduate level, by bringing a short vignette to share about how you have approached interdisciplinary learning in ESD within your taught postgraduate course.
Registration and cost
There is no cost for workshop participation, but a cost of £50 will be charged to your institution for registration with non-attendance. To register for a place at the workshop, please complete the registration form and send to interdisciplinarymasters@glos.ac.uk or send to:
Sue Hendzel
Administrator Teaching and Learning Innovation
Francis Close Hall
Swindon Road
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire, GL50 4AZ
For further information about the workshop, please contact Sue Hendzel at interdisciplinarymasters@glos.ac.uk.
Professor Lindsey McEwen, University of Gloucestershire, on behalf of the project team.
Project team: Professor Lindsey McEwen and Dr John Powell (Gloucestershire); Sheila Bennell (Bangor); Professor Stephen Sterling (Plymouth); Dr David Norcliffe (Newport); Glenn Strachan (London South Bank); and Professor Joe Howe (UCLAN). Supported by GEES, BMAF, HLST and PRS Subject Centres