IRMA-International.org: Creator of Knowledge
Information Resources Management Association
Advancing the Concepts & Practices of Information Resources Management in Modern Organizations

Enabling Multidisciplinary Learning: A Descriptive Study

Enabling Multidisciplinary Learning: A Descriptive Study
View Free PDF
Author(s): Juha Kontio (Turku University of Applied Sciences, Finland)
Copyright: 2006
Pages: 3
Source title: Emerging Trends and Challenges in Information Technology Management
Source Editor(s): Mehdi Khosrow-Pour, D.B.A. (Information Resources Management Association, USA)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-59904-019-6.ch132
ISBN13: 9781616921286
EISBN13: 9781466665361

Abstract

There are many reports about Finland and the challenges Finland is facing. Many of these reports pose requirements towards education in order to be able to answer future challenges. One challenge is for example the aim to get different disciplines working together (Technology Industries of Finland 2003). Students should be able to acquire knowledge and skills from many disciplines during their education (Ruokanen 2004). Future education should offer chances for multidisciplinary learning. The reports also write that teaching should be organizated in larger modules that are based on real-life competence requirements. (TT 2003) Another major challenge is to enhance knowledge in business operations and entrepreneurship (Ruokanen 2004; SITRA 2005). Internationalization is also a big challenge and it should be strengthened (Technology Industries of Finland 2003; Ruokanen 2004). Polytechnics should encourage student exchange (Ministry of Education Finland 2005). Degree Programs should provide possibilities for individual curriculums ie. individual study plans (Ministry of Education Finland 2003). Another challenge is to have such a tutoring organization that supports and guides students in their studies and decreases number of drop-out students (SITRA 2005). Development actions should focus primarly on speeding graduation and making quality of teaching better (Ministry of Education Finland 2005). This paper describes the curriculum development process carried out in 2003 to 2005. The description shows, how curriculums but also internal processes were developed to promote multidisciplinary learning and to answer challenges presented in many of the above mentioned reports. The paper continues describing the research setting, the development steps, current situation and finally concluding remarks.

Body Bottom