Thursday, July 10, 2014

EDTECH 542: Designing Integrated Curriculum



Benefits of Interdisciplinary Projects
There can be many benefits of interdisciplinary projects if implemented correctly. While all benefits eventually help the students, some begin with the teachers. When a team of grade level core teachers all meet to integrate there are immediate benefits.  Standards and expectations need to be examined carefully in order to integrate them with meaning and purpose. Also, bringing academic minds together to share thoughts and concepts often initiates the spark of new ideas. The saying of "two heads are better than one" usually holds true. It can bring together many separate entities into one comprehensive meaningful purpose.

Not only does it provide meaning and coordination to teachers, it does the same for students.  Students can be far more motivated realizing that what they learn in algebra or any other subject really is pertinent to real life because they are using it in a real life situation. They learn that algebra is just not formulas and problems, but learning where the problems come from in the first play and how to apply what they have learned.  It also focuses their learning throughout the day. Instead of moving from one topic to another in one day, there is a strand of commonality between everything that continues their focus throughout the day. Students are able to apply, integrate, and transfer knowledge from one subject area to another.

Interdisciplinary projects are generally based on real life situations and problems which brings more meaning to students.  When this occurs learning tends to be more in-depth.

Interdisciplinary projects are a little different in the elementary and higher education fields.  Coordination is still imperative, but in the lower grades it may only involve one teacher connecting subjects in one classroom which can make it easier. It would be ideal if the project could utilize the specials teachers as well which would take more coordination.

Challenges of Implementation
Most of the challenges stem from the benefits. It can be difficult to find the time to plan the project and coordinate all the subjects well. I think it is generally easier for elementary teachers to do so. In the upper grades students may not be taking all the same subjects as each other which could provide some difficulties. It is always imperative to make sure that all standards in all subject areas are being met.

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