On Tuesday 14th May Dr Alison Farrell of the Centre for Teaching and Learning and the University Writing Centre facilitated a workshop on ‘Threshold Concepts in Writing’ for staff. In the workshop staff explored threshold concepts in general and in writing specifically, and considered how knowledge of threshold concepts in writing could be useful in the classroom, and as part of module and/or programme design. Dr Susan Giblin who attended the session remarked ‘it was very helpful to spend some time focusing on threshold concepts. I now feel more confident to articulate these concepts to students which I think will be very helpful in the development of their learning skills and their metacognition. The workshop was very well organised, interactive and interesting’.
Alison and colleagues in the University Writing Centre would be delighted to discuss threshold concepts in writing, integrating more writing into teaching and learning, or indeed other aspects of writing in higher education with those who teach on campus. If you interested in these areas, please do not hesitate to contact us on teachingandlearning@mu.ie