Embedding Interdisciplinary Learning into our daily educational practices workshop

Interdisciplinary Learning 

Embedding Interdisciplinary Learning into our daily 

educational practices workshop

Presented by Violet Bawab

​August 18/19 2021

​Part 1 - Wednesday 11 am - 12 am 

• What is interdisciplinary learning 

• Connecting interdisciplinary learning to the NOS student profile 

• Why is it important / Interdisciplinary learning benefits - Video

• Reflecting on last year’s project 

Part 2 -  Wednesday 12:10 am - 1:00 pm 

• Grade level teams 

• Designate team leaders 

• Brainstorming ideas for interdisciplinary projects (2-4 subjects / project)

​

Embedding Interdisciplinary Learning into our daily 

educational practices workshop

Grade 6-9 Teachers

​Part 3 - Thursday 11 am - 12:30 pm 

• Presenting Ideas to other teams within grade level - feedback/adjustments 

• Designating 1 group to share project idea(s) with everyone 

• All project initial proposals sent to [e-mail]

• ​

Part 4 - Thursday 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm 

• Anticipated challenges 

• Suggested solutions 

• What is next? 

Embedding Interdisciplinary Learning into our daily 

educational practices workshop

Grade 6-9 Teachers

Embedding Interdisciplinary Learning into our daily 

educational practices workshop

Grade 6-9 Teachers

What is Interdisciplinary Learning

Interdisciplinary learning enables teachers and learners to make connections across learning through exploring clear and relevant links across the curriculum. It supports the use and application of what has been taught and learned in new and different ways. It provides opportunities for deepening learning, for example through answering big questions, exploring an issue, solving problems or completing a final project.

(What Is Interdisciplinary Learning? | Education Scotland – Technologies, n.d.)

Embedding Interdisciplinary Learning into our daily 

educational practices workshop

Grade 6-9 Teachers

Day 1                                                                                                                                                                                                                              National Orthodox School - August 18/2021

Why start with a definition?

• Not just a project

• Not a simple objective

• A mindset.....

• An approach ….

• A school-wide philosophy....

• A learning process...

Embedding Interdisciplinary Learning into our daily 

educational practices workshop

Grade 6-9 Teachers

Day 1                                                                                                                                                                                                                              National Orthodox School - August 18/2021

​So why is interdisciplinary learning important?

Educating for the Future: The Power of Interdisciplinary Spaces | Theresa Lim | TEDxYouth@SHC

​

​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGtrsv8G9u0

​

Embedding Interdisciplinary Learning into our daily  educational practices workshop

Grade 6-9 Teachers

Day 1                                                                                                                                                                                                                              National Orthodox School - August 18/2021

Reflecting on the last 2 projects

• Combined a large number of subjects

• Integrated numerous skills

• A class-wide project

• Somewhat fixed....in terms of outcomes, concepts and subject....

• A great learning experience....

• Tough, complicated and time-consuming

Embedding Interdisciplinary Learning into our daily 

educational practices workshop

Grade 6-9 Teachers

Day 1                                                                                                                                                                                                                              National Orthodox School - August 18/2021

Open Ended

What skills do you believe our students need support in developing?

ما هي المهارات التي يحتاج طلابنا الدعم في تطويرها؟

Open Ended

What are some topics from your subject, you feel are possible to integrate with other subjects?

(be state your subject, grade level and then topic)

ما هي المواضيع التي يمكن دمجها مع مواضيع مفاهيم من مواد أخرى؟

Open Ended

What is one thing you could suggest we do differently this year?

هل لديك أي مقترحات لمشاريع هذا العام؟

This year's approach....

• A number of projects integrating the core concepts and content taught across different subjects

• ​Integrating a small number of subjects per project

• ​Projects in different subject groups scheduled across the semester to reduce crowding

• ​Majority of project work done in class through learning units

• ​Major outcome is not necessary for each project

Embedding Interdisciplinary Learning into our daily 

educational practices workshop

Grade 6-9 Teachers

Day 1                                                                                                                                                                                                                              National Orthodox School - August 18/2021

Content, Concept or Skill

• ​Every subject is special in its own way

• ​Some have overarching concepts that could span across other subjects

• ​Some are content focused

• ​While others are skill-based

​

​How can we integrate?

Day 1                                                                                                                                                                                                                              National Orthodox School - August 18/2021

​What is the plan?

• ​Split up into groups according to grade level

• ​teachers teaching more than one grade level have been designated one grade level group for this workshop

• ​If you are teaching a subject with other teachers, you will propose ideas on behalf of the team of teachers, and we will meet on the level of every subject at a later date to discuss details.

• In your grade level meetings, please split up further into groups of subjects where integration could be easy. Ideally, every 3 subjects could propose a project together ​

Embedding Interdisciplinary Learning into our daily 

educational practices workshop

Grade 6-9 Teachers

Day 1                                                                                                                                                                                                                              National Orthodox School - August 18/2021

​What is the plan? (Cont'd)

• Please grab a cardboard and markers for every team

• ​Use the cardboard to brainstorm ideas for your projects

• ​On your cardboard, be sure to include:

  • ​Grade level

  • ​Subject

  • ​Main theme for a project

  • ​Related content unit

  • ​Concepts being taught

  • ​Skills needed for the project

  • ​Suggested student outcome

Embedding Interdisciplinary Learning into our daily 

educational practices workshop

Grade 6-9 Teachers

Day 1                                                                                                                                                                                                                              National Orthodox School - August 18/2021

Sources

• ​Educating for the Future: The Power of Interdisciplinary Spaces | Theresa Lim | TEDxYouth@SHC. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGtrsv8G9u0. Accessed 17 Aug. 2021.

• ​

  “What Are the Benefits of Interdisciplinary Study?” OpenLearn, https://www.open.edu/openlearn/education/what-are-the-benefits-interdisciplinary-study. Accessed 12 Aug. 2021.

• ​

  What Is Interdisciplinary Learning? | Education Scotland – Technologies. https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/glowblogs/technologies/interdisciplinary-learning/what-is-interdisciplinary-learning/. Accessed 29 July 2021.

Embedding Interdisciplinary Learning into our daily 

educational practices workshop

Grade 6-9 Teachers

Day 1                                                                                                                                                                                                                              National Orthodox School - August 18/2021

Thank You !