Diagrams as Visual Knowledge Communication Tools in Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Education

Abstract

This research investigates the use of diverse visual knowledge communication tools in the multidisciplinary training produced in the BC4ECO project. During this project, teaching and learning content was developed to enable postgraduate learners to utilise blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) to solve complex, real-world problems related to environmental sustainability. We examine how visual modelling techniques enhance comprehension across disciplines and facilitate interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration, particularly for learners who may not have prior programming or computer science knowledge. Findings suggest that using these tools leads to enhanced collaboration between computer scientists and non-computer scientists and aids in the facilitation of joint problem solving between seemingly disparate disciplines. Additionally, the study highlights how the use of tools for established software engineering modelling, like Visual Paradigm for UML, bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical implementation, strengthening problem solving skills and improving software development education.