ERIC Number: EJ1055078
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0307-5079
EISSN: N/A
Experiences of Academic Staff in Using Threshold Concepts within a Reformed Curriculum
Rodger, Sylvia; Turpin, Merrill; O'Brien, Mia
Studies in Higher Education, v40 n4 p545-560 2015
Threshold concepts were used to underpin a major curriculum reform endeavour in occupational therapy. After rigorous interrogation of troublesome knowledge and ensuring that the emergent concepts conformed to the five characteristics of previously proposed threshold concepts, we identified five threshold concepts. Two years into the rollout of the new curricula, academics participated in two focus groups. Questions focused on staff members' perspectives regarding their use of threshold concepts, and how students engaged with the threshold concepts in assessment activities. The focus groups were transcribed verbatim and analysed using standard qualitative analysis techniques. Peer and member checking ensured the accuracy of interpretations. Three key themes emerged: (1) staff engaged in threshold crossings; (2) threshold concepts conferred many benefits; and (3) students' professional identity evolved. Study limitations and implications for embedding of the threshold concepts in curricula generally and particular courses more specifically will be discussed.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Curriculum Development, Occupational Therapy, College Faculty, Teacher Attitudes, Focus Groups, Qualitative Research, Professional Identity, College Instruction, Concept Teaching, Concept Formation, College Students, Semi Structured Interviews, Content Analysis
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A