Threshold Concepts Theory as a Pedagogical Tool for Articulating Transformational Learning: An Initial Exploration

Abstract

As the landscape of higher education gets more complex, there is a need to increase engagement and student reflection on their academic experiences. This research explores whether a threshold concept framework (TCF) can be used in an interdisciplinary social science culminating course as a tool for students to consider the transformative nature of their education and articulate the meaning of their educational experiences. Student reflective work was analyzed to see whether students can (1) understand TCF, which is typically used to analyze student learning, rather than as a reflective tool for students and (2) successfully apply TCF to their educational experiences. The authors conclude that using written reflections, students could understand and apply TCF to articulate the transformational nature of their education and consider the impact of their experiences as an undergraduate. These results illuminate the potential of using TCF as a pedagogical tool within the classroom and curriculum development.