Using a cyclic model of knowledge transfer for the development of transdisciplinary learning environments

The requirements for a knowledge economy raised new challenges for higher engineering education. Modern learning processes are characterized by the continuous growth of both diversity and the amount of data that should be understood by the student. Taking into account the rapid obsolescence of information, the focus of knowledge-intensive educational activities shifts toward the formation of competencies for life-long learning. In this paper we propose a methodological basis for the development of computer-aided transdisciplinary learning environments to induce a student´s intrinsic motivation for education and research. A cyclic model of knowledge transfer is invariant for all subjects of the joint scientific and educational processes and can be implemented in academic centers of excellence to acquire and create knowledge through the partnership of students, teachers, and researchers. Furthermore we describe our experience with the deployment of a transdisciplinary environment based on the knowledge transfer cycle in the annual scientific course `Technologies of High Performance Computing and Computer Simulation´ (ITMO University, Russia).