Master Colloquium Marc Fuentes Bongenaar (EST) - An analysis of teaching skills and challenges of novice teachers in interdisciplinary project-based education: how can we support interdisciplinary teachers?

Speaker  

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Marc Fuentes Bongenaar

Title

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An analysis of teaching skills and challenges of novice teachers in interdisciplinary project-based education: how can we support interdisciplinary teachers?

Abstract

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Interdisciplinary education has been a cornerstone of educational innovation over the last 25 years. While much research has been conducted on interdisciplinary student competencies, the requirements of the interdisciplinary teacher are less established. This research investigates the teaching skills necessary to provide interdisciplinary project-based education (iPBL) and identifies challenges and supporting factors related to iPBL from the perspective of the teacher.

Through a cognitive task analysis using semi-structured interviews with seven teachers from different iPBL courses at the University of Twente a range of perspectives are collected and form the basis of a comprehensive skill hierarchy of interdisciplinary teaching. Additionally, the unique teaching activities differentiating iPBL from monodisciplinary education are identified and expanded with relevant challenges and support. This research found that a stark difference exists between teachers who create an iPBL course and those who join an existing iPBL course. The creation phase enables the teacher to develop/hone their existing communication and reflection skills while they establish the foundation of the course. This foundation combined with the acquired skills from this process partially enable the teacher to design interdisciplinary course content and learning activities and to provide integrative teaching. The teachers who join an existing iPBL course miss a part of this experience and are likely to experience more challenges and a steeper learning curve in interdisciplinary teaching.

Novice teachers of iPBL education can ideally be supported through coaching and 1-on-1 sessions with experienced teachers. A professionalisation programme focusing on integrative teaching elements can be beneficial as well, especially for teachers who join an existing course.

Date

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July 14, 2025

Time

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14:00 hrs.

Building/Room

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Ravelijn 3231

Graduation     Committee    

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prof.dr.ir.  Klaasjan Visscher

dr. Marieke van Geel