Breaking down the silos: Student experience of transformative learning through interdisciplinary project-based learning (IPBL)

Abstract

Despite the convergence of multiple disciplines, little attention was paid to the interdisciplinary course modules. The current study employed an interdisciplinary project-based learning (IPBL) collaboration of Hospitality Business Management, Electrical Engineering, and Communication majors in a course— the STEM-oriented alliance of research (SOAR)— to enhance multidisciplinary understanding, entrepreneurial engineering mindsets, and promote transformational learning using three different data sources and mixed methodologies. Results indicate that students showed improvements in their overall confidence to engage across these facets. We discuss the implications of this approach to transform interdisciplinary understanding and confidence as students go onto their professional careers.