The Chronicle of Higher Education, a publication focused on the world of post-secondary education and educators, ran an article [Needed: a New Generation of Problem Solvers] in their June 26, 2009 edition where the authors cite complex and interconnected global problems to support the International Commission on Education for Sustainable Development Practice's three recommendations for higher education and beyond.
Read the article at: http://chronicle.com/weekly/v55/i40/40a06401.htm
Note: to access this article, you may need to be on UCF's network either through a wi-fi connection or via one of the computers in the computer lab.
In the comments section, answer the following questions:
1) In what ways does the Commission's recommendations support or refute the need for interdisciplinary education and training?
2) Who would benefit most from the M.D.P. program? Would you benefit from this program? Why/why not?
3) Should colleges and universities adopt this M.D.P. model or seek to create a graduate program that is uniquely tailored to the mission of their institution? Why/why not?
Deadline to comment is Sunday, 10/11/2009, 11:59pm
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Can someone please post this article? I am not able to get to UCF and thus can't open the article. Thank you.
ReplyDelete1) Its supports the practice of interdisciplinarity by advocating an interdisciplinary approach in our school systems. Through doing this we can take various fields and utilize them to attack the problems of the future.
ReplyDelete2)I think that the M.D.P. program is a great idea. It is definitely designed for people like those who make up the IDS program. I would love to take part in because it not only utilizes the interdispline skills but also I really like the idea of global networking and a single shared curricula.
3)I think that real success would come from adopting a uniformed curriculum globally. This would allow for the flaws and positives of the system to really shine and be corrected. I do however have no arguments with trying to create a program that is more related to the mission of universities it just depends on what that mission is.
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ReplyDeleteMicheal,
ReplyDeleteI found out after a few attempts if you go to that link and type in the search bar "New Generation of Problem solvers" the article shows up its the first one. Cheers mate have a good weekend.
Peter Leiner
Thank you Peter ..
ReplyDelete1) In what ways does the Commission's recommendations support or refute the need for interdisciplinary education and training?
I think that the commissions recommendation are true, and we need more disciplines in our system. The article was talking about the things that are true to our future, being money, wheather, and our people as a whole. We are still focused on one single discipline and its hurting our society. The article was saying that things are bad now, but if we do not plan for the future we will be worse off then. We need to be able to be educated on a variety of disciplines as opposed to just one. The future is what is important not now.
2) Who would benefit most from the M.D.P. program? Would you benefit from this program? Why/why not?
“the recommended M.D.P. program requires at least two full years of training and rigorous study of health sciences, natural sciences and engineering, social sciences, and management” I think that this is a great idea. All of us in the IDS program are a head of everyone else in seeing into the future with multiple disciplines. I think the youth would benefit from this program because they will be educated in multiple things and this is what we are going to need in the centuries to come. I would and I do benefit from this program. I feel that I am already a part of this program being an IDS major at UCF.
3) Should colleges and universities adopt this M.D.P. model or seek to create a graduate program that is uniquely tailored to the mission of their institution? Why/why not?
I think that university should do a mix of both. I still think it is ok to become a master of one discipline, but MDP is a good idea for everyone. I feel that a graduate program would be a great idea. This could also bring in people that are a generation older then mine and re-teach a new way of thinking, the thinking of the future. The sooner the MDP program is started the sooner that people will realize that it needs to be there for the future to be brighter.
The commission argues for a change in education that focuses more on interdiciplinary thought than traditional single discipline direction. They point out that problems are not solved within a single discipline but rather spill into several interconnected areas of study. Education should then be based more on this interconnection of disciplines not a straight and narrow focus.
ReplyDeleteI feel that everyone would benefit from the ideas carried in the MDP program. This is especially true for current interdisciplinary students as they are already headed in that direction. I myself could stand to benefit from such a program but I would likely not pursue it at this current time. I want to graduate and secure a job to begin paying off my debts to the world rather than increase them. I am also heavily focused on my music and would choose to make it into a career if possible.
I think that colleges and universities should deffinitely adopt the MDP model. It would be a great opportunity for students to expand their horizons and get some additional experience and knowledge. I think that traditional degree programs will begin to look less appealing once more interdisciplinary based education starts filtering in.
The report mentions and recommends more disciplines in our leanings. It does that by saying and giving steps on how they would create better college learning. It also criticizes the current college learning system that is one subject focus heavy.
ReplyDeleteThe ones at risk now. Doctors, engineers, programmers. Because these are the jobs that are becoming more global and if people who are more equipped to handle the globalization will become better leaders. No, I will not benefit from this program. It does not work for me in the fields of my study. You can always push it to the point that it somewhat can but you can do that with almost anything but realistically it will be hard for me to benefit from it.
I think that the program should be done but like with interdisciplinary a choice of the student. Many people still hold on to the belief oh one area of study is the best. Like time when it is time to be forced to change they will change but let those who want to change be the ones that change from them self.
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ReplyDelete1) In what ways does the Commission's recommendations support or refute the need for interdisciplinary education and training?
ReplyDeleteThe Commission clearly supports and interdisciplinary handling of education and training through the considerations that traditionally disciplinary skills must be intermixed as a foundation for developmental practices. These practices will manage disciplinary subordinates, in my observation, who operate within their discipline to obtain their specific goal of which the developmental practician has mapped out for the needed disciplines to meet on.
2) Who would benefit most from the M.D.P. program? Would you benefit from this program? Why/why not?
By the criterion of the article, health sciences, natural sciences and engineering, social sciences, and management students would benefit most from this graduate level program. The combining of any three of these would make for an impressive program with the global design of utilizing real-time or recent information in the initial stages of such practical real-world endeavors. For me, the growth of this collegiate mobilization may lead to a niche for which I might fit. However, the immediacy for such is not here yet as the many who have flocked to the 12 seedling institutions have already been saturated.
3) Should colleges and universities adopt this M.D.P. model or seek to create a graduate program that is uniquely tailored to the mission of their institution? Why/why not?
Colleges and universities should tailor their graduate programs to the future growth of their regions consistent with their mission. Logic and simple pragmatism leans to this line of thought for the benefit of post-secondary affiliations and localities. To borrow from a cliche, how can you say the other side is greener if you never check that your side is suppose to be green?
The commission highly recommends the support for interdisciplinary education and training and it has developed its own program to advocate such a thing because it feels that he current ones need reform and more structure across all the schools that provide such types of programs.
ReplyDeleteI think there are numerous people who would benefit from this program, not only the person in the program but the people in the world, like the program to teach general physicians could help is all greatly.
I don’t think that all colleges should offer the exact same type of MDP program but I do think that there needs to be some type of standards for what is going on in these programs across the board to hold up the quality of the students in the program and to give the people that there students are going to be trying to get job with a idea of why there degree in beneficial and what it has to offer.
The commission's recommendations supports the need for Interdisciplinary education and training in many ways. The first is that the program "requires at least two full years of training and rigorous study of health sciences, natural sciences and engineering, social sciences, and management." These areas especially engineering and management are not traditional viewed as being connected. By studying these areas and then bringing them together to create new viewpoints and perspectives, the practioneers are participating in a very interdisciplinary practice.
ReplyDeleteNot everyone has the desire or ability to think and act interdisciplinarily. Therefore, not everyone could be part of the MDP program, however, everyone could been benefactors of it. If the number of students in a MDP program continually increases then over time the world will reep the benefits of it.
It is important that we do not loose the individuality and flavor of different regions and cultures. Therefore, if more work is done as a global community through the MDP program it is important that each participating university produces unique components that reflect the surrounding community and region.
The recommendation of the Commission strongly supports the need to implement an interdisciplinary approach to education. It recognizes the value and necessity of the interdisciplinary school of thought. In fact the article says it out right, “The commission found that while many programs have a "development" label, they tend to focus heavily on either social science or environmental science and do not prepare their graduates with the interdisciplinary skills or training required to meet a diverse array of development challenges.”
ReplyDeleteThe global community would benefit from such a program as it is designed to address world wide issues of the utmost importance. Climate change, renewable energy sources, and sustainable agriculture are just a few of the challenges graduates of the M.D.P. Program will face.
If a school is interested in developing a M.D.P. Program the model outlined by the International Commission on Education for Sustainable Development Practice should by closely adhered to. It is important to have a uniform model because the problems addressed are on a world wide scale and demand the cooperation of students from around the globe. In order for everyone to “be on the same page” and avoid specialization a universal interdisciplinary studies based program must be developed.
1) The commission's research emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary training because it cites the need for "generalists" to bridge the work of specialists. It also cites that there needs to be study into multiple fields, to prepare people for emerging careers.
ReplyDelete2)I feel the M.D.P. program would be wonderful for a person who isn't interested in a specialized career for the rest of their lives, someone who is instead interested in a flexible degree that prepares them for a wide range of fields. I believe I would benefit from this program because I'm interested not only in the cross-cultural aspects of the program, but also the diversity of the areas of study. I'm a person who can become easily bored by studying simply one subject, I would feel much more fulfilled continuing an interdisciplinary education.
3)I think that Universities should view the MDP program as a basis for their own programs. Each school is set up differently, I think it's too personal to set a standard across the board.
The Commission’s recommendations support the need for interdisciplinary education and training by stating the need for people to be well versed in a variety of fields, not just one. Even though many universities already know this concept, they are still staying focused on a single majored track. Interdisciplinary education allows students to learn totally different fields of study and ways to use one to help solve problems in another.
ReplyDeleteI believe everyone would benefit from the M.D.P. program, especially me. I am in total agreement that learning several disciplines is important, and adding in the cross cultural learning aspect makes it even more beneficial. That way, you not only learn the disciplines in your own culture’s eyes, but you can converse with other cultures and learn their take on the same subjects. Speaking with people from other cultures and countries is not something everyone has such easy access to. I believe IDS should try and incorporate their major in this program for future students.
I think more colleges and universities should adopt the M.D.P. model and try and stay away from more programs that are narrowly focused because educational institutions really should be focused on educating and enriching the minds of their students in all areas. Exercising students’ minds in different areas allows them to better tackle problems that may come their way, as most of the time problems are not solved by single minded thinking.
I think the Commission supports the idea of interdisciplinary training as it defines it. The article talks about natural science and engineering it mentions programs in Africa and holistic practices. However, that is only a small amount of what interdisciplinary programs can cover. I think the M.D.P. programs it mentions are too narrow.
ReplyDeleteI do not believe that I would benefit from a M.D.P. program as it is stated in the article. None of my disciplines pertain to the knowledge offered by those programs
If a college were to adopt a program like the one mentioned I think that they should try to alter it to fit the university. While there is something to be said for having a regulated well of knowledge and experience this actually hurts us. Doing so cuts out any chance for new experiences and new knowledge to be gained and brought to the collective, to show that there may be better answers out there.
1) In what ways does the Commission's recommendations support or refute the need for interdisciplinary education and training?
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this article I realized how important the future really is for us. It seems like the future is allot more important then present time and we need to be more educated to solve major problems that we might have to face. Its very important to be extremely qualified and trained for some of the careers that we are getting our selves into. I feel that the commission supports this need for education and training and should be taken more seriously now that the economy is so bad.
2) Who would benefit most from the M.D.P. program? Would you benefit from this program? Why/why not?
I think that our society as a whole can really benefit from the M.D.P. Program. This program really forces the average person to be well educated when choosing there careers and performing to the max in them. All of the issues around the world should be talked about at all times to figure out the best way to change it.
3) Should colleges and universities adopt this M.D.P. model or seek to create a graduate program that is uniquely tailored to the mission of their institution? Why/why not?
I do think that they should use this program in colleges around the world. Education is the most important thing in our society and while students are in college this is the best time where they are going to focus the most on these important issues.
1) In what ways does the Commission's recommendations support or refute the need for interdisciplinary education and training?
ReplyDeleteIt supports the need for interdisciplinary education and training by saying we need people who can bridge the disciplines that can meet a "diverse array of development challenges."
2) Who would benefit most from the M.D.P. program? Would you benefit from this program? Why/why not?
People with a degree in a narrow-spectrum discipline. I would not, because my field requires specifice training that includes a "bridge" already.
3) Should colleges and universities adopt this M.D.P. model or seek to create a graduate program that is uniquely tailored to the mission of their institution? Why/why not?
Yes, why not? It brings together many disciplines and gives you a distinct advantage over a traditional degree by showing that you are able to be flexible with your intelligence.
1) In what ways does the Commission's recommendations support or refute the need for interdisciplinary education and training?
ReplyDeleteThe article calls for an interdisciplinary approach to education. The article states that it takes many disciplines to solve problems. It also mentions that the college should start bridging many disciplines to better prepare its graduates for the future.
2) Who would benefit most from the M.D.P. program? Would you benefit from this program? Why/why not?
the M.D.P. is a long awaited idea. a program that incorporates such disciplines as the health sciences, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and management will produce a very well rounded leader. I have often run into people who had put all their eggs in one basket. People like medical Doctors who you would think could handle almost any situation but then can't change a sparkplug in their car. I believe that we all would benefit from this program, not through studying in the program but by producing more intelligent and skilled critical thinkers that could do nothing but advance our society.
3) Should colleges and universities adopt this M.D.P. model or seek to create a graduate program that is uniquely tailored to the mission of their institution? Why/why not?
I think universities should adopt the M.D.P. program. I believe this because I think everyone should live outside their little self-created box. I have learned that you never know what drives people to do things or act the way they do until you've spent a little time in their shoes. By expanding a student's mind in this manner, they will be able to make better judgments and decisions throughout their career.
In the comments section, answer the following questions:
ReplyDelete1) In what ways does the Commission's recommendations support or refute the need for interdisciplinary education and training?
It completely supports an interdisciplinary education, bringing in the different disciplines and approaches.
2) Who would benefit most from the M.D.P. program? Would you benefit from this program? Why/why not?
For me, I would most definitely benefit from a M.D.P. program, obviously, I am interdisciplinary major ;)
3) Should colleges and universities adopt this M.D.P. model or seek to create a graduate program that is uniquely tailored to the mission of their institution? Why/why not?
Yes, colleges and universities should adopt an MDP model because it would give them practice for a real world experience.
After reading the article about the M.D.P program, it is obvious that the Commission’s recommendations support the need for interdisciplinary education and training. It begins by stressing the importance of having leaders that “can cross boundaries of
ReplyDeletescience, policy, geography, theory, and practice”. Unfortunately, schools are primarily gearing students toward specific disciplines.
Individuals whose jobs are becoming increasingly outsourced or accomplished with computers (engineers, accountants, phone operators, etc.) would benefit most from the M.D.P. program. They could finally get the opportunity to use their right brain!
I would certainly benefit from the program because it would force me to think interdisciplinarily like never before. I also believe colleges and universities should adopt the program model and also provide similar graduate programs. Why? Because the absence of more conceptual based and “cross-disciplinary” curriculum is a disservice to the students.
1.The commission’s recommendations support the need for interdisciplinary education by stating the multiple problems that arise when you look into the future problems of our country. To understand and analyze you must also be multi- talented, therefore engaging in a multi discipline education.
ReplyDelete2.According to the article, every student interested in health sciences, natural sciences and engineering, social sciences, or management would benefit most M.D.P. program. I think I would benefit from this 2 year program, in general. I don’t know how anyone could not benefit from a program like this in our society. If we had the extra time and money this training would definitely help prepare us for different aspects of the future. But, I don’t think it should be forced upon those who do not want to learn multi disciplinarily.
3.I think UCf already has. Our IDS program is even better than the limited M.D.P. program. We have the choice to incorporate many other areas into our degree. I think programs like this should be an option for students trying to get a well rounded education at any university.
1) The Commission’s recommendations will support voids presently in areas of “inconsistent technical skills and experiences”, identify generalists to bridge 4 pillars of sustainable development, and standardize a core, up-to-date curriculum to share global interdisciplinary and virtual training. Also, these recommendations will expand and support a Global M.D.P. Secretariat to unite/invite global educational institutions to join, standardize and nurture its ongoing development, financial support and success.
ReplyDelete2) The core competencies of development practitioners, natural sciences, health sciences, social sciences and management can be limiting depending on one’s tastes and aspirations vis-à-vis the objective of the Sustainable Development Practice’s goals. I understand both authors’ perspectives, however this article seems heavily “environmentally-flavored” with a “climate science” twist. It's still an interdisciplinary/global endeavor, but science goals heavily map back to the environment--In this context, I would not benefit from this M.D.P. as the heavy environmental initiative deviates from my chosen goals/skills at the inception of my entering IDS Degree. I respect what this article is all about, but the environment is not what I signed up for pursuant to my IDS matriculation. People who will benefit will be of course have IDS skills, work in environmentally-related initiatives and have backgrounds in sciences mentioned above.
3)I think this M.D.P. would work if it was added as another core curriculum—not re-fashioning the existing U.S. Educational/College System status quo. The heavy environment topic has limitations. For example, the Environment is not what I signed up for in Cornerstone (nor in IDS Degree commitment), but I understand it and am learning about it. It should be the student’s choice to know ahead of committing to the curriculum what career path is marketable beyond the Degree, and that they want that field.
The materials in this Cornerstone Course are relevant and valid in their context. I am surprised, however by the saturation of Environmental material integrated into this course (and projects). I understand that there are people who want to pursue careers working for the Environment in some niche. I don’t understand the heavy push of Environmental information in this Cornerstone Course toward my Interdisciplinary Degree whereupon my Areas/Minor/IDS Degree were different and not intended to work in an Environmental capacity—although I respect anyone’s right to do so. The Environment component nor community service were never mentioned by any of my IDS advisors even though I kept asking along the way, since my IDS Enrollment...”Research was the ‘canned’ answer”, I received fuzzy details on my Major or core curriculum courses (i.e., Cornerstone, Capstone). In the same token, this M.D.P. model, as I mentioned earlier, is relevant—can have a core curriculum with relevant core courses—can be global—but should not take place of the standardized educational system in place… I say this for 2 reasons: 1) Until Corporate America can partner with Educational Institutions to co-standardize our future Educational/Employment Infrastructure together—we would be fracturing the educational side without the interdisciplinary involvement to redesign the “employment/corporate” end. In this regard, how can we logically match the Degree with Career Path? Could there be a career path with a schism between Education and Career (or Corporate America)?
Therefore, if this M.D.P. is going to be heavily flavored with sustaining “Environmental” perspectives/initiatives, it should be an optional curriculum—made understandable to incoming IDS students, upon entering the IDS Degree Program--global or otherwise, so each student can make an informed choice on what curriculum to choose, where it will lead, and of most paramount importance, if--there will be employment opportunities that dovetail with the IDS Degree (environmental or otherwise) or not.
Lisa Beni
1) The Commission's recommendations are definitely supporting the need for interdisciplinary education and training. The entire second paragraph of the article pretty much defines interdisciplinarity. The article then goes on to say that colleges are "overwhelmingly focused on single-discipline studies" when they should really start incorporating other fields of study because these students are going into the field unprepared knowing only specific information about one area and not a variety of areas.
ReplyDelete2) I think most college bound people, and even those who aren't, would benefit from this M.D.P program. It would give people a chance to become more well rounded and it would also give them a chance to understand things from different perspectives instead of looking at everything from one point of view. I feel that I could definitely benefit from this program seeing as I am already in one very much like it. Even my areas of study are similar.
3) Colleges definitely should adopt a program similar to this one, of course UCF already has and I'm sure there are many other colleges and universities out there that have. I feel that a program such as this would, like mentioned before, give people a chance to be more well-rounded and let them see things from varying points of view. Programs like this should also be recognized more than they are as well letting people know that they are out there so that people know there are other options opposed to those "single-discipline studies."
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ReplyDeleteThe commission in their infinite wisdom, with such statements about the program, which is said to "focus heavily on either social science or environmental science and do not prepare their graduates with the interdisciplinary skills or training required to meet a diverse array of development challenges."
ReplyDeletegive the impression of their support.
Engineers, automotive, aeronautical students would because this type of approach is very meticulous and very involved, these field require that type of attention.
And of course more schools should have an MDP model approach to education. This way they can offer an option in which student can tailor their learning experience to flesh it out in areas that they may lack in.
1) In what ways does the Commission's recommendations support or refute the need for interdisciplinary education and training?
ReplyDeleteI believe the Commission's recommendations support the need for IDS through the incorporation of interdisciplined majors as opposed to traditional single disciplines. In today's world a person is less likely to become a specialist at one task. Occupations are changing the way they work and converging to provide a multitude of services rather than just one.
2) Who would benefit most from the M.D.P. program? Would you benefit from this program? Why/why not?
In my opinion anyone who wants to be successful can benefit from this program. I leads to a better rounded individual who can perform multiple tasks more efficiently and effectively than those of a single skilled background.
3) Should colleges and universities adopt this M.D.P. model or seek to create a graduate program that is uniquely tailored to the mission of their institution? Why/why not?
Why not adopt this program as an option to degree seekers. It could only help the students with their quest for work after school in today's scarce job market by making prospective employees more qualified for a variety of jobs as opposed to just one type.
1) It supports interdisciplinary education in that it is proposing a more in depth approach to learning. With clinical and interactive experiences it forms a more complete view of multiple studies.
ReplyDelete2) I think that the more right brain thinkers would benefit from this because it is a new way of learning. I think that I would enjoy it because I tend to like more innovative approaches to education.
3) I definitely think that this would be beneficial to a university especially if it were tailored to their mission. A student attending that university would get a more complete look at their studies.
1)The commission's recommendations want to support and reform the need for interdisciplinary education and training. It’s stated to be ongoing efforts to improve quality, changes, and organization. New roles and responsibilities will be the main support for their recommendations.
ReplyDelete2) The recommended M.D.P. program requires at least two full years of training and rigorous study of health sciences, natural sciences and engineering, social sciences, and management. Students or anyone who is focusing on business occupation or how to understand how the various areas relate and impact their main focus in their concentration is a good candidate for this program. I definitely feel as an interdisciplinary student and future teacher, I could benefit from this particular program. The reason are because in my degree and in this program they both want or focus on having key business functions to understand how various areas relate and impact their roles. It teaches and being an IDS student it has taught me how to gain knowledge and insight into various concentrations and methods.
3) Should colleges and universities adopt this M.D.P. model or seek to create a graduate program that is uniquely tailored to the mission of their institution? Why/why not?
I don’t see a problem with colleges and universities wanting to adopt the M.D.P. model or seek to create a graduate program that is uniquely tailored to the mission of their institution. It will allow students to focus on key business functions to understand how the various areas link up and impact their roles in society. It has been mentioned and I also believe it would help students in the program learn to recognize immeasurable, new opportunities in the global marketplace.