Learning Beyond Disciplines - How does IATL do it?
IATL is the nest for education innovation at Warwick and aims to advance the academic discourse on Learning Beyond Disciplines and to create models for its implementation.
Discover how IATL achieves this and explore practical examples that can benefit you and your Department:
'Beyond Disciplines' Modules
IATL offers a range of UG and PGT modulesLink opens in a new window that promote and facilitate radical cross-disciplinary thinking and collaboration.
These modules are available to all students across the University (subject to departmental approval), and provide opportunities to learn with students and contributing academics from a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds. As such, taking an IATL module offers students a unique chance to demonstrate their disciplinary excellence as co-creators of knowledge in this space, while also learning how their disciplinary excellence and disciplinary identity can be enhanced through a radically multi-, inter-, and trans-disciplinary learning experience.
Each IATL module incorporates 'beyond disciplines' pedagogies to inform the design and delivery of the subject matter, and have been reviewed to ensure that all students, no matter what disciplinary background they have, can thrive equally.
Interdisciplinary Learning - IATL Approach
IATL takes a ‘radical’ interdisciplinary approachLink opens in a new window to crossing disciplinary boundaries in its curricular offering and across many of its co-curricular provision.
The ‘radical’ interdisciplinarity we explore is centred on IATL’s strategic position as a centralised Department at our University (we do not belong to a Faculty), and as such, we are a Department that facilitates pedagogical interventions that the whole University can enjoy. Read more on our approach to Interdisciplinary LearningLink opens in a new window.
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IATL Assessment Exhibition
The student work on display is diverse, imaginative and individualised in a way that varies considerably within and across IATL modules. This space exists to celebrate outstanding work, regardless of mark received, and to encourage a longevity in the assignments that continues well beyond the time and space of the modules' run.
We encourage all UG and PG students who have taken an IATL module to consider showcasing and celebrating their work in this space – highlighting that while produced on an assessed module, the value of the work can extend far beyond the classroom.
Postgraduate Award in Interdisciplinary Pedagogy
As a leading department in pedagogical innovation and interdisciplinary education, each year we offer colleagues from around the University the opportunity to learn with us on the Postgraduate Award for Interdisciplinary PedagogyLink opens in a new window. This is a 10-month,30 CAT postgraduate course offered to members of staff (and PGRs) who are teaching, facilitating or supporting interdisciplinary learning at the University of Warwick. This sector leading course was developed by IATL’s former Head of Department, Professor Jonathan Heron to share with our University community useful strategies to incorporate interdisciplinary pedagogical innovations into practice across a range of academic contexts; exciting new cross-disciplinary learning networks for colleagues; an opportunity to reflect on existing practices with peers and learn from those who have established successful approaches to interdisciplinary pedagogy.
Understanding Wellbeing - An Online Module For All
The Understanding Wellbeing online module shows how students from an array of different disciplinary backgrounds can have a successful interdisciplinary learning experience in the digital space.
This online iteration of our existing face-to-face Understanding Wellbeing moduleLink opens in a new window guides students through the concept of wellbeing, and has been designed to encourage autonomous learning - allowing students to learn in their own time, at their own place, and according to their own needs. As such, it is accessible to all and geared for an often time-constrained University life.
The online Understanding wellbeing module offers different disciplinary viewpoints ranging from scientific, economic, psychological, and philosophical perspectives in order to create a holistic understanding of this complex concept.
'EUTOPIA Global Connections' Transdisciplinary Projects
Each year the EUTOPIA Global Connections Learning CommunityLink opens in a new window (led by Dr Heather Meyer IATL) hosts two collaborative online international learning (COIL) opportunities available to all UG and PGT/PGR students at Warwick on globally oriented, transdisciplinary topics.
Students from an array of different disciplinary backgrounds and academic levels from selected EUTOPIA Partner Universities collaborate in multidisciplinary groups online to create a small-scale ‘Student Devised Project’ that is transdisciplinary in scope. As such, students produce an artefact of their choosing on a globally-oriented theme that articulates the group’s message, and together, they deliver a presentation which outlines their learning journey and reflections on transdisciplinary and cross-cultural learning to an academic panel across Europe. This is an opportunity to explore disciplinary perspectives across international borders, and establish an international network of peers interested in transnational, transdisciplinary issues. Have a look at upcoming eventsLink opens in a new window.
(See also our Global Connections Assessment ExhibitionLink opens in a new window page for samples of student work produced in this space).
Innovation In Inter- and Trans- Disciplinary Assessment
IATL’s portfolio of UG and PGT interdisciplinary modules feature exciting alternative forms of assessment that allow students to be empowered to lead with their interests and aspirations; the opportunity to thrive in interdisciplinary education regardless of disciplinary background; and to provide inclusive, humanised assessment experiences that are academically rigorous and meaningful.
Explore some of our inter- and trans- disciplinary assessment interventionsLink opens in a new window.
Co-creation of Assessment Documentation to Facilitate Learning Beyond Disciplines
As a champion of Participatory Practices underpinning all of IATL’s core activities, we explored co-creation in the assessment space.
Working with former IATL Co-Creation Officer Pula Prakash, Dr Heather Meyer explored the idea of co-creating assessment documentation to facilitate learning beyond disciplines. As a relatively unexplored space that is dedicated to co-creation in the sector, co-creating assessment provides a challenging, but very rewarding and beneficial space to build transparent, accessible and student-friendly assessment documentation. They have compiled their reflections on this processLink opens in a new window.
Supporting the Creation of 'Beyond Disciplines' Courses
Since December 2015, IATL supported the development of the Warwick-based MSc in Humanitarian EngineeringLink opens in a new window, initially as a strategic funded project before co-developing and hosting the programme when it was launched in 2018/19.
The project included receiving HEFCE funding, involved developing interdisciplinary training in the field of Humanitarian Engineering covering themes related to the UN Sustainable Development.
Interdisciplinary Teaching and Learning Conference
As a sector leading Department in facilitating Learning Beyond Disciplines and contributing to academic discourse in this area, IATL hosted the 5th Interdisciplinary Teaching and Learning Conference in 2021Link opens in a new window.
The conference explored a variety of issues on the theme of ‘Interdisciplinarity: Learning from Each Other’ - a theme that reflects on the learning elements of collaboration, co-construction of knowledge and practice that underpin the interdisciplinary teaching and learning experiences.
The conference, organised by Dr Elena Riva, was attended by over 300 delegates from the UK, Europe, Australia, and the Americas.
WIHEA/IATL Interdisciplinary Staff Hub
The Interdisciplinary Staff HubLink opens in a new window envisioned by the WIHEA Learning Circle in Interdisciplinarity aims to provide a central platform for Warwick teaching staff and fellows to access guidance and support to incorporate interdisciplinarity within their pedagogy.
It offers practical examples within case studies, opportunities to network and have discussions with colleagues, and provides resources for further developing interdisciplinarity at Warwick.
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