An introduction to threshold concepts

Abstract

The idea of threshold concepts emerged from a UK national research project into the possible characteristics of strong teaching and learning environments in the disciplines for undergraduate education (Enhancing Teaching-Learning Environments in Undergraduate Courses - http://www.tlrp.org). In pursuing this research in the field of economics, it became clear to Erik Meyer and Ray Land (2003, 2005, 2006),that certain concepts were held by economists to be central to the mastery of their subject.These concepts,Meyer and Land argued, could be described as ‘threshold’ ones because they have certain features in common.The purpose of this brief piece is to outline these features and to point to the distinctive value of a threshold concept approach for curriculum design.