ProjectProject

A threshold concepts focus to curriculum design: supporting student learning through application of variation theory

Project Information

Year Funded:
2008
Grant (ex GST):
$219,000
Project Status:
Ongoing
Program:
Priority Projects
Project Keywords:
Curriculum design, Curriculum development, First-year, Law, Physics, Threshold concepts, Variation theory
Project Discipline:
Non-disciplinary

Institutions

  • The Australian National University (Lead)
  • Queensland University of Technology
  • The University of Sydney
  • University of Technology, Sydney

Project Leader

  1. Dr Gerlese Akerlind
    The Australian National University
    Gerlese [dot] Akerlind [at] anu [dot] edu [dot] au

Project Outcome

The proposed outcomes of the project are:

  1. Development and evaluation of a theoretically-informed model for curriculum design that uses practitioner action research, peer collaboration and sharing of curriculum practice to generate evidence-based improvements in student learning of disciplinary threshold concepts; 
  2. Trial of the model in first-year Physics and Law courses, using a train-the-trainer approach that facilitates disciplinary dissemination and makes educational theory readily accessible.

Project Methodology

The project will use disciplinary action research, peer collaboration and a train-the-trainer process to develop, trial, evaluate and embed a theoretically-informed model of curriculum design.

Two teaching teams of Physics and Law lecturers from four universities will:

  1. Identify Threshold Concepts relevant to first-year in their discipline;
  2. Conduct action research on variation in student understanding of these concepts; 
  3. Co-design learning activities informed by this variation and the Variation Theory of learning;
  4. Implement the design and assess learning outcomes; and
  5. Re-design learning activities based on this theory and evidence.
The curriculum design process will then be replicated by each lecturer with two of their tutors/demonstrators in the design of a tutorial/lab.

Through this train-the-trainer approach, workshops at disciplinary conferences, and preparation of a web resource site that includes digital video-clips and lecturer/tutor/demonstrator reflections and guidelines, the curriculum design model will be disseminated to others in the disciplines.

The information on this project's page was correct at the time of funding. Changes may have occurred since.

The information on this project's page was updated 8 February, 2010.

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