Research-guided teaching practices: Engineering threshold concepts as an approach to curriculum renewal

Abstract

Introduction. In this chapter we introduce threshold concept theory and present the case for its use in curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment in engineering education, as an example of how we might consider using theory to develop practice. The process has been developed and tested in engineering at The University of Western Australia, with collaborators at the Universities of Oxford and Birmingham and The University of Queensland. We begin with an introduction to threshold concept theory. We then step through the stages of curriculum design using threshold concepts. At each stage, the approach, critical issues that must be considered, and examples are discussed. Threshold concept theory is a..