"I don't see how is relevant to me": Wicked Problems as a gateway to interdisciplinary undergraduate research education
Topics: Geography Education
, Education
, Environment
Keywords: interdisciplinary education, wicked problems, research education, undergraduate education,
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Saturday
Session Start / End Time: 2/26/2022 11:20 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/26/2022 12:40 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 45
Authors:
Rowena Butland, Western Sydney University
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Abstract
Interdisciplinary education presents unique challenges: first and foremost being that students often retain their 'disciplinary silos driven by perceived degree learning outcomes. When students perceive no vocational relevance, they can quickly become disengaged and fail to meet deeper learning outcomes. Undergraduate research education often is perceived of lower priority than disciplinary knowledge and skills. Wicked problems provide a strong conceptual framework to assist students to explore and appreciate the value of research knowledge and skills to their diverse academic, professional, and personal pathways.
This paper will draw on the experience of designing and delivering a large undergraduate research education subject. The subject is a core requirement for Social Science students across fifteen diverse degree programs at an Australian university. Class size means that it is impractical to allow students to pursue individualised projects. Using wicked problems for research education allows unification of student backgrounds, experiences, interests, and intentions within an interdisciplinary context. Wicked problems allow exploration of the entire research process. Their inherently applied nature reinforces the ‘real world’ relevance of contemporary learning experiences. Wicked problems help to demonstrate the importance of diversity, cooperation and collaboration within research; and, in an era of increasing disinformation, they help to firmly situated research skills as life skills.
"I don't see how is relevant to me": Wicked Problems as a gateway to interdisciplinary undergraduate research education
Category
Virtual Paper Abstract
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