Learning theory and interdisciplinarity: reframing learning in terms of evolving coherences rather than “true” representations or correspondences

Angus McMurtry

Chapter 1 in Handbook of Interdisciplinary Teaching and Administration, 2024, pp 13-24 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Extending a path laid down by Boix Mansilla (2017), this chapter begins epistemologically, considering what we mean by knowledge, especially in interdisciplinary contexts. It then advocates a shift from traditional western correspondence theories of knowing-which frame it in terms of a match between objective truths and subjective representations-and toward coherence theories that view human knowing more in terms of evolving viability, or how we interact effectively with our changing world. This reframing of knowing is better suited to the plurality and tentative assertions of interdisciplinary thinking, research and education. Finally, coherence theories of learning and knowing are compatible with constructivism, sociocultural theory, pragmatism, communities of practice, complexity theory and a variety of other progressive approaches to learning-many of which view learning and knowing as including but extending beyond individuals to social collectives and other complex systems. Practical implications for teaching interdisciplinary classes are described.

Keywords: Asian Studies; Business and Management; Development Studies; Economics and Finance; Education; Environment; Geography; Innovations and Technology; Politics and Public Policy Sociology and Social Policy; Teaching Methods; Urban and Regional Studies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.elgaronline.com/doi/10.4337/9781035309870.00009 (application/pdf)
Our link check indicates that this URL is bad, the error code is: 503 Service Temporarily Unavailable

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:elg:eechap:22214_1

Ordering information: This item can be ordered from
http://www.e-elgar.com

Access Statistics for this chapter

More chapters in Chapters from Edward Elgar Publishing
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Darrel McCalla ().