Supporting the development of understanding in higher education

Professor Peter Davies, Staffordshire University

Dr David Hay, King's College, London

Dr Max Scheja, Stockholm University

Abstract:

This session will allow colleagues to consider the implications of ongoing research which is looking at ways of helping students to be involved more actively in developing their own understanding. This research has involved working with university teachers and students to see how difficult aspects of contrasting subject areas can be made more accessible. Prof Peter Davies will be drawing on the idea of threshold concepts , while  Dr David Hay will be introducing a new approach to concept mapping. Dr Max Scheja from Stockholm will de describing ongoing work using in-depth discussions with students about how they reach a deep level of understanding.