Research Skills & Interdisciplinary Problem Solving-Topic #4

The ability to research is not only useful in school but also in our daily lives, whether it be personal or professional. Research, as defined in our text, “Involves identifying problems, discovering source material, generating data, organizing and analyzing that information, and drawing conclusions substantiated by it.” It may not seem like it, but we all use this method of research to solve various types of problems that plague us, big or small. It could be something as small as deciding where you are going to go for spring break or as big as searching for your potential career. Research is what gives us the information we need to make a well thought out and accurate decision or judgement, that may very well affect that rest of our lives or just our lives for the time being. How does interdisciplinary tie in? Very well, actually. Whilst researching, we pull in information from many disciplines that relate to our problem or topic and integrate them to create our solution. When solving a problem, it takes the knowledge of several different areas of study harmoniously mixed together to create the “big picture.” For example, spring break. Most people when deciding on where they want to spend their vacation, along with their money, research to find a location that best fits their needs. They look up costs of flights, cost of hotels, how they want to get there (plane, car, boat, etc.), what they want to do once they get there, and so much more. There are so many aspects working together simultaneously and so much research done when a person is deciding on where and how they want to travel. Research gives us the information and the push to make our decisions wisely and confidently. That being said, now it’s your turn....

Here are your conversation topics for this week:

-How do we use research in our everyday lives? in school? at work?

-Which specific skills are used when completing a research project?

-How might these skills be translated towards future employment?

-How might your ability to solve problems from an interdisciplinary perspective be valuable to a future employer? current employer?

-Create a potential (fictitious but believable) work scenario where your research and problem solving skills as an interdisciplinary thinker might come into play.

Critical Thinking - Topic #3

Critical thinking may be the most important quality to possess when trying to integrate different disciplines. At times it may seem as though two different disciplines can only relate to each other in a multidisciplinary way (think fruit salad more than smoothie). But if you can truly think critically then eventually a reason and way to integrate will emerge. Sometimes you need to only examine a small aspect of a discipline and use that to tie in throughout all of another discipline. For this week look at your own minor and areas and how you may be able to integrate them and how critical thinking will be a valuable tool for you to use.

Here are all of your talking points for this week:



-How does your critical thinking relate to being interdisciplinary?
-Comment on how the Virtual Philosopher scored your response. From the comments you received about your responses, what insight have you gained about your own critical thinking and reasoning?
-How does the outline of your critical thinking disposition match with the application of it in doing the Virtual Philosopher?

Integration - Topic #2

Integration, to me, is combining and blending multiple elements or parts into a new whole. Moti Nissani provides an excellent example of integration and interdisciplinary studies by comparing them to a “smoothie”. The smoothie is “finely blended so that the distinctive flavors of each [fruit] is no longer recognizable, yielding instead the delectable experience of the smoothie” (Repko, 2008). After reading this metaphor, I realized that I make figurative “smoothies” every day. I constantly integrate various ideas, pieces of knowledge and methods to solve complex personal, professional and academic problems.

For example, when I worked as a spa front desk agent, I continuously tackled the problem of filling “white space”, or openings in our schedule due to un-booked spa appointments. I had to thoroughly integrate my areas of focus and minor to solve this persistent problem. I used customer service skills from hospitality management, behavioral analysis from the behavioral sciences and teaching skills from education to convince guests that their wants and needs would be fulfilled by booking a spa service. The result of this integration was booked appointments, spa revenue and satisfied guests. My areas of focus and minor integrate quite well with one another and have been helpful in my job at the Ritz-Carlton as well as many other aspects of my life.

Now it’s your turn. Please reply to the following questions. Feel free to comment on my post as well. I look forward to conversing with you throughout the week. Happy blogging! -Jennifer Hickel

What is integration? What are examples?

How have or haven't you integrated your areas and minor?

Why is integration of areas/minor important in terms of professional, academic, and/or personal developing?

How can your areas/minor be better integrated?

Welcome Introductions

My name is Ashley Glass, I live in Seattle and work for Marriott. This is my final semester at UCF as an IDS major. My minor is in Hospitality Management and my focuses are Behavioral and Social Sciences and Public Affairs. I typically describe IDS as “create your own degree,” I have come to realize it is a lot more than that. It is combining different disciplines to make a better-rounded major. My original plan was to solely be a Hospitality Major, but when I decided to move to Seattle I had to change to a degree major that would allow me to take classes online. To my surprise I have become very fond of the Interdisciplinary Studies Major and I am very glad that I did change. I am very excited to get to know all of you and work with you this semester! Best of Luck!

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Hey guys my name is Leo Holtzman and I live in Orlando. I am in my final semester here at UCF. I work two jobs: one as a bartender at the MOAT and another as a magician (I mostly do private and corporate parties). One of those is the reason I chose IDS as my major, take a guess... As a result I explain IDS through my potential career as a magician. I say that it is the only degree that allows you to tailor which classes you want to and think you need to take. I have a minor in hospitality event management which helps and will help me with the business side of magic. My two areas of study help with my magic more directly. Psychology has allowed me to learn how to trick the human mind and Theatre has taught me how to present my magic. Anyway I look forward to mentoring you all this semester. Let me know if you have any questions.

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Hello everyone!

My name is Jennifer Hickel and I am excited to be in the last semester of my senior year here at UCF! It has been quite an academic journey for me. In very general terms, I have changed majors, universities, career paths and even cities. However, I will graduate proudly in May with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. My areas of focus are Behavioral Sciences and Education with a minor in Hospitality Management. I loved the option of creating a degree that allowed me to combine multiple disciplines and areas of interests. My original intention with this major was to become a Child Life Specialist. Now, I am using my degree as a stepping stone to further my education. I plan to complete my doctorate degree in Natural Medicine and become a Naturopathic Physician. I currently work as a Resident Assistant on the Rosen campus in Orlando and own my own mobile massage business called In Good Hands Mobile Massage. I am thrilled to be a mentor and look forward to learning about all of you this semester!

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Hi, everyone! My name is Cassandra Perez (but most just call me Cassie) and this will be my final semester here at UCF (yay!). I have been on the six year college plan but that's okay because I will be walking away with a lot more knowledge and a great degree. My degree is comprised of Humanities and Behavioral/Social Sciences with a minor in Hospitality Management. To be honest, I still am not 100% sure on what EXACTLY I want to do with my life but having a bachelor's degree in IDS is a good place to start, I think. I know I want to help people and use all of my concentrations together to do so. I really feel that being an IDS major gives me (and you) the upper-hand when measured up to those who only have a degree in one area of study. IDS is a major that lets you study three different subjects at once and let's you walk away with endless options for what your future may hold. Having knowledge in more areas than one will give you the chance to be able to access so many other opportunities and let your mind wander. The only disadvantage I can think of in having an IDS degree is having to defend it when people question what exactly it entails and if it really is as solid as any other degrees offered. Besides that I can't see anything else that would discourage me from completing my bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies. I look forward to a great semester as one of your mentors and good luck! :)

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Now it’s your turn to tell us a little about yourself. Who are you and what year are you? What are your focuses and minors and what do you hope to do with it? How do you explain IDS to others and what advantages/disadvantages do you see in your IDS education?