#256: Transdisciplinary Teaching and Learning with Physical Computing: Teachers’ Perceptions

Transdisciplinary experiences where learners traverse different disciplines to solve problems are critical to preparing students for dealing with complex real-world problems in the future. However, transdisciplinary learning remains scarce in schools. Physical computing, which engages students in creating tangible interactive artifacts with the Internet of Things devices, can potentially serve as an anchor for transdisciplinary learning. In this study, we investigated in-service teachers’ perceptions of transdisciplinary learning with physical computing. Our analysis of 19 teachers’ questionnaires, observation notes of a brainstorming session, and focus group interviews revealed that teachers overall hold a positive feeling of transdisciplinary learning, although most of them viewed transdisciplinary learning as interchangeable with multi/interdisciplinary learning. Teachers’ perceived challenges in implementing transdisciplinary learning in classrooms included a tension between allowing students to struggle and preventing them from being overwhelmed with frustration, as well as confusion about the need to support students in realizing disciplinary connections.