TY  - CHAP
AB  - Abstract Australian academics and students are discovering the value of final-year capstone units. Often designed as inquiry-based projects, capstones can engage students in authentic work that interests them personally, while building on their disciplinary knowledge and graduate capabilities. However, for some academics dealing with less academically accomplished students, the focus on student-directed activity that is inherent in inquiry-based learning can be a cause of concern. The cross-disciplinary inquiry-based capstone in Arts at an Australian university discussed in this chapter should allay some of those concerns. The cohort at this university includes a high proportion of non-traditional and first in the family students, many from non-English speaking backgrounds. The success of this capstone stems from student teams selecting and designing their own projects, often drawing on knowledge(s) and concerns relevant to their own diverse communities. The flexible framework and guided inquiry approach sees tutors step back – becoming facilitators rather than experts – and this in turn builds students’ confidence in their capacity to plan and execute their projects. The range and quality of student projects carried out in this capstone (many of which involve close links with local communities and advocacy organisations) attest to the value of cross-disciplinary, inquiry-based and student-managed capstone units.
VL  - 1
SN  - 978-1-78441-235-7, 978-1-78441-234-0/2055-3641
DO  - 10.1108/S2055-364120140000001012
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/S2055-364120140000001012
AU  - Funston Andrew
AU  - Lee Nicolette
PY  - 2014
Y1  - 2014/01/01
TI  - The Graduating Project: A Cross-Disciplinary Inquiry-Based Capstone in Arts
T2  - Inquiry-based Learning for Faculty and Institutional Development: A Conceptual and Practical Resource for Educators
T3  - Innovations in Higher Education Teaching and Learning
PB  - Emerald Group Publishing Limited
SP  - 223
EP  - 241
Y2  - 2024/09/19
ER  -