94750 Transdisciplinary Learning for Change
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 3 cp
Result type: Pass fail, no marks
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
How can we cross-pollinate ideas from different fields to generate novel learning possibilities and seed change?
This subject introduces transdisciplinary practices that bring together perspectives and knowledge from different fields, disciplines and stakeholders to innovate. Participants engage with key ideas about transdisciplinary learning and change, enabling them to recognise learning as it occurs in these diverse educational or professional learning settings and how to best support these learning communities to thrive. In a series of practice-based exercises and novel experiences, they explore creative possibilities that can emerge within collective learning environments as they reframe complex problems. Participants begin to use models they form about transdisciplinary learning with sensibility in their professional practice to catalyse change.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Explore, probe and communicate in ways that extend representation of ideas and perspectives |
|---|---|
| 2. | Trial a range of methods, approaches and frameworks from different fields of practice for gaining insights into collective learning situations |
| 3. | Identify significant issues, challenges or opportunities and examine ways to tackle them creatively |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject contributes specifically to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes:
- Communicate, explore, examine, network and negotiate in ways that extend representation of ideas or perspectives (1.1)
- Explore the relevance and test the value of frameworks, approaches and methods from different fields of inquiry for gaining insights into collective learning contexts and systems (2.1)
- Identify significant issues, challenges or opportunities and assess potential to act creatively, ethically and strategically on them (3.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Teaching and learning strategies
Self-paced, mentored online learning
In the core learning subjects, participants undertake self-paced, mentored study online where they are introduced to seminal transdisciplinary learning concepts, theories, methods and case studies, coupled with putting into practice complex problem-solving, inquiry approaches and imaginative, ethical leadership. This subject opens up two weeks prior to its official commencement enabling participants to explore the Subject Outline, engage with the subject material and prepare a study plan based on their priorities. Week 1 begins with a face-to-face online seminar, leading into self-paced asynchronous learning experiences that run over the five weeks. Weekly online Informal Conversation sessions on Zoom enable all participants to come together, share and discuss key ideas, questions or possibilities emerging from their studies and extending their professional practice.
Professional practice integration
Participants explore the diverese ideas, approaches, perspectives and knowledge from different fields and trial them in their professional practice or other situations. As they test the relevance and worth of these practice-based possibilities, participants are tasked with generating transdisciplinary learning opportunities within their particular setting. Core subjects also provide opportunities for participants to review and adjust their learning goals, to shape their individual inquiry, to chart their individual learning pathways through the program and to ensure continued relevance of their learning. When coupled with the related Studio subjects, participants dive deeply into and experience transdisciplinary learning, designing and inquiry in action.
Content (topics)
- Transdisciplinary learning
- Collective learning
- Complexity and systems thinking
- Multidisciplinary methods for thinking and seeing differently
- Learning as change and change as development
- A contemporary view of generative learning
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Insights into challenges worth pursuing
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1 |
|---|---|
| Type: | Exercises |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
Assessment task 2: Creative exploration of transdisciplinary learning and change
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 2.1 and 3.1 |
|---|---|
| Type: | Journal |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 70% |
Minimum requirements
Students must make a reasonable attempt to meet the expectations outlined for each assessment task and achieve an overall pass grade in order to pass this subject.
Required texts
No required texts. Readings and other resources will be provided online.