Stimulating adaptive performance through constructively aligned transdisciplinary education and the Peradex assessment approach
Synopsis
In this chapter, we present adaptive performance as a learning outcome of transdisciplinary education via which we can educate students who are capable to help solve grand societal challenges. Based on transfer and a scaffolded approach, we present a constructively-aligned model for transdisciplinary education at the bachelor and master level.
Further, we introduce the performance-based adaptive expertise (Peradex) assessment approach as a valid and reliable formative assessment to monitor students' adaptive expertise development. Adaptive experts can flexibly use their knowledge and skills to respond to new problem situations in creative and innovative ways. Transdisciplinary education - in which students address real, societal issues and co-create innovative solution pathways together with extra-academic stakeholders - opens-up the door towards the design of education in which students are challenged to address societal issues in education and to develop their adaptive expertise.
In such education, students can learn how to navigate uncertainty, empathise with others, and address grand societal challenges in meaningful ways.
At the end of the chapter, we present design considerations with which educators can design transdisciplinary education in such way that students can develop their adaptive expertise and practice adaptive performance. We invite educators to further develop these design considerations and share inspirational practices to inform teaching practice, including the use of the Peradex approach as formative assessment instrument.
