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Correlating Problems Throughout an Interdisciplinary Curriculum

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The Role of Criticism in Understanding Problem Solving

Abstract

The curriculum of the Information Technology Leadership program at Washington & Jefferson College addresses technical problems from content fields in the Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Traditional Sciences. Despite our broad and in some ways disparate approach to the study of IT, we have identified common learning outcomes for the program. One of the learning outcomes targeted by the curriculum is the development of independent, proficient problem solving. Our experiences indicate us that students improve their ability to analyze and solve complex computational problems when we pursue pedagogies that support them in developing these skills incrementally. Specifically, we employ a problem-based learning approach that we apply individually in each course as well as across the entire curriculum of our department. This cohesive approach enables us to build on earlier problem-solving experiences throughout later courses and build upon that cognitive expertise.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Washington & Jefferson College, Washington, PA, USA

    Samuel B. Fee & Amanda M. Holland-Minkley

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  1. Samuel B. Fee
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  2. Amanda M. Holland-Minkley
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Correspondence to Samuel B. Fee .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Washington and Jefferson College, 60 South Lincoln St., Washington, 15301, Pennsylvania, USA

    Samuel B. Fee

  2. Utah State University, 2830 Old Main Hill, Logan, 84322, Utah, USA

    Brian R. Belland

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Fee, S.B., Holland-Minkley, A.M. (2012). Correlating Problems Throughout an Interdisciplinary Curriculum. In: Fee, S., Belland, B. (eds) The Role of Criticism in Understanding Problem Solving. Explorations in the Learning Sciences, Instructional Systems and Performance Technologies, vol 5. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3540-2_14

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