Welcome to the Tuesday Teaching Tip, an easy-to-implement tool that you can use immediately in your classroom teaching. 

TUESDAY TEACHING TIP: Encouraging Cross-Disciplinary Collaborations

Exciting ideas often emerge at the intersections of disciplines, where diverse perspectives tackle complex challenges. Encouraging students to think beyond their primary field deepens understanding, enhances problem-solving, and prepares them for real-world issues. How can we inspire students to embrace cross-disciplinary collaboration? 

Here are a few ways to get started:

• Share cross-disciplinary innovations such as responsible AI that relies on the integration of computer science, ethics, and social sciences to ensure fairness and societal impact. Cross-disciplinary examples can motivate students to see the value of thinking beyond traditional boundaries.
• Invite guest speakers or SCU colleagues outside your discipline to showcase diverse viewpoints and methods of inquiry. This enriches classroom discussions, helps students see connections among disciplines, and might spark new collaborations for you!
• Design group assignments that bring together students from diverse disciplines, encouraging them to apply knowledge from multiple fields to address complex challenges.

DID YOU DO IT?

Let us know how it went. We would love to hear your feedback about how you implemented today’s Tuesday Teaching Tip in your classroom. Click here to fill out our 3-question survey. The survey is anonymous, but if you choose to enter your name, you’ll be entered in a drawing at the end of the quarter to win a new book from Faculty Development!

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Learn more about cross-disciplinary collaborations at SCU at our Cross-Disciplinary Collaborations CAFE Wednesday, February 12 at 11:45 - 12:45 in Varsi 222. Stay for the implementation hour to spark ideas and foster connections with fellow attendees! Sign up here.

WANT TO READ A LITTLE MORE?

• Visit our Faculty Development DRT pages for examples of how to integrate sustainability into your courses. 
• See more examples of cross-disciplinary initiatives happening at SCU:
• Environmental Justice and the Common Good
• Healthcare Innovation and Design
• Frugal Innovation Hub
• Responsible AI
• Community Heritage Lab
• The Whitham Family Collaborative Scholarship Awards

This week’s Tuesday Teaching Tip was prepared by On Shun Pak on behalf of the Faculty Collaborative.

Missed a teaching tip? Read them all here. Don’t forget to check out our Faculty Associates office hours here.

And check out our full calendar of CAFEs and other Faculty Development and Faculty Collaborative events.