Workshop Reports and Proceedings
Order Code: WR5
Understanding Interdisciplinary Teamwork: Challenges for Research and Practice
Laura Lee Gance
Preface
In November 1997, the National Institute for Science Education (NISE) brought together for a two-day conference faculty members of NISE, individuals who have special expertise or experience pertaining to interdisciplinary collaboration and problem solving, and representatives of research projects addressing the topic of interdisciplinarity. The purpose of the conference was to advance understanding of interdisciplinary teamwork and to identify areas for further research. This report provides a synopsis of the issues and ideas that emerged during the conference, including key questions for research, the role of theory in research – particularly theoretical frameworks within the field of cognitive science, methods and methodology, and other general issues. In addition, the report reviews implications for practice of what is known about interdisciplinary collaboration and important considerations for designing effective environments for such collaboration.