Activity 7 - Crossing boundaries & Creating Connections

What is interdisciplinary Learning

This was defined by as "inquiries that draw on two or more disciplines which lead to an integration of disciplinary insights (Haynes 2002, p17).  Typically the students work in groups and observing various points of view with the aim of bringing them together for a common goal.  To my understanding a good example of this is how NASA and ESA work.  They have a goal to launch satellites or probes into space this requires an interdisciplinary approach from various area of Science and Engineering to bring their expertise and collaborate towards a common goal to achieve success. This approach would help the students make connections in their learning and not see them as isolated areas which do not intersect.  It would also give the students insight to different views and methods to problem solving as the old saying goes "there's is more than one way to skin a cat".

My Interdisciplinary Map

Barriers to the Interdisciplinary Learning

Rather than encourage an interdisciplinary approach current structures and hierarchies in secondary schools inhibit it.  Indeed we are arranged in traditional subject areas such as English, Science and Mathematics.  All the functions and reporting are based around this structure. Indeed many of the problems listed by Jones 2009 such as lack of time for collaboration, status conflicts and the faculty nature are prevalent in our school.  This is further inhibited in senior school with the NCEA standards which are very much subject orientated.

Future Focus for interdisciplinary connections

The idea of the Ross Spiral Curriculum (3) is in its essence a great idea and I would relish the chance to work in such away.  Indeed prior to training to be a teacher my projects in industry always required a interdisciplinary approach where each area of the company was represented typically this was sales, marketing, production and logistics.  Often this lead to the phrase “oh, I had not thought of that!” as different view points where express.  I would love to seen this approach adopted in schools as it would definitely increase the students empathic horizon (4).

As a Science teacher I see some huge possibilities to develop interdisciplinary approaches. Exploration of the history of science or the geopolitical landscape and the space race.  More modern issues could be explored such a climate change, a truely interdisciplinary issue, the economics of plastics and pollution or the meeting the needs of increasing energy demands of 21st century.  However my future focus would be on connecting science and history as this would probably fit into to the current NCEA structure more readily in the short term.

Haynes, Carolyn, 2002. Innovations in Interdisciplinary Teaching, West port, CT, American Council on Education ORYX Press.

Jones, C.(2009). Interdisciplinary approach - Advantages, disadvantages, and the future benefits of interdisciplinary studies. ESSAI7 (26), 76-81. Retrieved from http://dc.cod.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1121&context=essai

Ross Institute. (2015, July 5). Ross Spiral Curriculum: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Science. [video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHZhkB0FJik

ThomasMcDonaghGroup. ( 2011, May 13). Interdisciplinarity and Innovation Education.[video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDdNzftkIpA