ERIC Number: EJ1429041
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 40
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1050-8406
EISSN: EISSN-1532-7809
Knowledge Objects and Knowledge Practices in Interdisciplinary Learning: Example of an Organization Simulation in Higher Education
Hanni Muukkonen; Anu Kajamaa
Journal of the Learning Sciences, v33 n2 p365-404 2024
Background: Higher education is expected to prepare students with interdisciplinary learning (IDL), which is important for their educational and working life opportunities. The cocreation of knowledge in interdisciplinary teams offers multiple opportunities for the emergence of collective knowledge objects (KOs) and knowledge practices (KPs). Methods: During iterations of an organization simulation course, interdisciplinary student teams created an offer of human resource services for a client. To analyze the students' IDL (84 students in 12 teams), we conducted an interaction analysis, drawing on sociocultural and knowledge practice perspectives on technology-mediated learning. First, video-recordings of two teams' meetings were analyzed to trace the tensions, negotiations, and cocreation of KOs. Second, students' reflective diaries were analyzed to identify collective KPs. Findings: The negotiation and cocreation of KOs were mediated by multiple material resources and participants' disciplinary knowledge. In their diaries, students described the following collective KPs: 1) attending to interdisciplinary problems, 2) responsibility taking, 3) framing expertise and contribution, 4) crossing interdisciplinary boundaries, 5) exploring and concretizing new knowledge, and 6) reflecting and expanding upon practices and knowledge. Contributions: The study widens our understanding of the intertwined dynamics of KOs and KPs through which students collectively create and engage in interdisciplinary learning.
Descriptors: Epistemology, Interdisciplinary Approach, Simulation, Higher Education, College Students, Learning Activities, Electronic Learning, Reflection, Video Technology, Diaries, Knowledge Level, Expertise, Concept Formation, Cooperative Learning
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A