Easing the Transition: Threshold Concepts & IL workshops for visiting Y13 students

Erin NephinLeeds Metropolitan University

Previous Y13 Sessions…

© Bill Barnes & Gene Ambaum  Unshelved.com, Used with Permission

Threshold Concepts

“Transformed way of understanding, without which the learner cannot progress” (Meyer and Land, 2003)

• Transformative• Irreversible• Integrative• Bounded• Troublesome

Meyer, J.H.F and Land, R. (2003) Threshold Concepts and Troublesome Knowledge (1): Linkages to Ways of Thinking and Practising [Internet]. Occasional Report 4. London, Economic and Social Research Council. Available from: <http://www.etl.tla.ed.ac.uk/docs/ETLreport4.pdf> [Accessed 15 March 2013].

The Backward Design Process

From Understanding by Design (Wiggins and McTighe, 2006)

Three Stages:1. Identification of desired results;2. Determine acceptable evidence;3. Plan learning experiences and instruction.

Wiggins, G. and McTighe, J. (2006) Understanding by Design. Ohio, Pearson.

The Redesign

2 Major Changes:

1. Splitting the workshops (move from lab to classroom based);

2. Build in feedback/self-assessment mechanisms (“3-2-1 Assessment”)

The Pilot

Feedback and Assessment

Feeding Forward

• Development of the IT based sessions• Feeding into existing L4 workshops for first-

year students• Feeding into widening participation days