Lecture 3: Threshold Concepts (TCs)

Threshold Concepts are likened to portals, gateways, doorways, etc. whereby crossing over the threshold you enter a new space over limitless possibilities. Understanding and mastering TCs allows for seeing the world anew and juxtaposing "old knowledge" with the new ideas and integrating them to make more sense of the world.

TCs are said to be the core information features of a specific discipline; understanding them makes it easier to understand the knowledge base of that discipline. However, in one of the videos we viewed in class the speaker explained TCs not as the core but more as the perimeter of the discipline. So if viewed as a circle, once you have infiltrated the perimeter you are inside! So too once you understand TCs, understanding other concepts within a specific discipline comes naturally then.

This past week has been a difficult one for me w.r.t. work and studies and trying to juggle various deadlines. At one point I felt like I was being pulled under and barely had my head above water. But as I pen this I feel much more on top of things having done some prioritization and some soul searching. I do realize that I have to read more and engage more with the lecture notes and prescribed readings so that I can understand the concepts better. And I must make time for revision definitely. Another issue that concerns me is that I am slightly apprehensive to just post anything for fear of sounding stupid or ignorant seeing as how the blog is in the public domain.

However, my class mates are really supportive and I really value their input. We have started a Whats app group and its come quite handy keeping each other abreast of things.  

 I found the following Links to be quite interesting:

http://www.ilthresholdconcepts.com/publications.html
This first link is actually very exciting as its a current undertaking of a Delphi study to validate the threshold concept approach for information literacy and to identify threshold concepts for information literacy. This study is separate from the ACRL task force that is using threshold concepts in their new framework, though one of the coauthors Lori is a member of the task force. The authors of this site are the authors of the article A THRESHOLDS CONCEPTS APPROACH TO THE STANDARDS REVISION.
 
A Delphi study is a qualitative research method in which a small group of experts are asked to answer questions about a topic in writing, anonymously. The answers are collected and summarized by a moderator, and then sent back to the experts. This process is called a round. In each round, experts read the responses of their peers, make adjustments to their own answers and address questions raised during the previous round. The idea is to remove undue influence caused by a person's reputation or demeanor that might influence results if the group of experts gathered together in person. As such, the best ideas rise to the top. There is a tab on the site where you can contact the researchers and give your in put about the topic. Its fascinating as it is happening in real time. I cannot wait for the outcomes of this research.

http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/lseteachingblog/2012/10/11/threshold-concepts/
This blog looks at what exactly are TCs are and how can they be used to inform teaching?

http://acrlog.org/2015/01/30/whats-the-matter-with-threshold-concepts/
Recent conversations about ACRL’s draft Framework have raised questions about both the theoretical value of threshold concepts and their usefulness as applied to information literacy instruction. This post responds to some of the arguments against threshold concepts and clarifies why the authors believe that the model can be a productive way to approach information literacy instruction.

Enjoy the readings!