An Interdisciplinary Approach

In the previous post, I mention that students would benefit from an interdisciplinary approach to learning.

An Interdisciplinary Approach

A school that adopts an interdisciplinary approach focuses on 6 essential learning achievements. These are:

Uses a range of strategies to think and learn
• Thinking is the deliberate use of mental powers to form ideas, develop mental images and solve problems. Thinking calls upon perception, reasoning, logic, creativity and imagination.

Some ways to generate thinkers
• Taxonomies of thinking skills (e.g. Bloom’s taxonomy or the SOLO taxonomy)
• Multiple intelligence tools (e.g. Six thinking hats, CORT thinking)
• Mind or concept maps
• Problem solving models (e.g. SWOT Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats)

Understands and applies the inquiry process

• Seeks information and uses it to draw conclusions and generate new knowledge

Some ways to generate the inquiry process
• Clarifying and defining purpose and what information is likely to be needed
• Planning methods to collect it
• Developing preliminary hypotheses to be examined
• Assembling and evaluating information
• Communicating and justifying conclusions
• Understands the variations of the inquiry process used in particular disciplines (e.g. in historical research, scientific testing, mathematical analysis, critically interpretation in texts)

Makes considered decision

Some ways to generate the decision making process
• Restraining impulsiveness
• Gathering information
• Identifying the significance of decisions
• Weighing up consequences
• Justifying choices

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Acts with integrity and regard for others

• Integrity is about acting consistently with moral principles and ethics.

Some ways to generate integrity and regard for others
• Investigate real life situations where integrity is required to work with others
• Discuss why it is easier to act with conviction in some situations than others
• Identify the values and beliefs of role models who have acted with compassion and integrity and assess those against their own developing values and beliefs
• Explore and clarify personal and social values

Contributes to group effectiveness

Some ways to generate group effectiveness
• Develop the skills of teamwork, leadership and cooperation
• Develop the skills of communication, negotiation and conflict resolution
• Demonstrate mutual respect and support and learn how to balance commitment to personal needs and views with those of the group
• Recognise and value the different roles and contributions individuals can make in a group


Uses information and communication technologies effectively

Some ways to generate ICT
• Develop confidence and a sense of enjoyment in using ICT for different purposes
• Develop an attitude of openness to new ways of doing things
• Appreciate the responsibility, legal and ethical use of information by using ICT


Students of a school that adopts an interdisciplinary approach
• Become self-motivated learners
• Develop a positive attitude towards learning new things, including the use of ICT in creative ways
• Persevere when thinking through ideas, issues and problems
• Seek help when they need it
• Value creativity and imagination
• Become reflective about their thinking
• Appreciate and value the aspirations of others