Developing interdisciplinary understanding for MYP teachers Fairview International School JB April...

Developing interdisciplinary understanding for MYP teachers

Fairview International School

JB April 1st 2013

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2008

What is interdisciplinary learning? Why does interdisciplinary learning matter? How does interdisciplinary learning reflect MYP

fundamental concepts ? How do the Areas of Interaction drive interdisciplinary

teaching and learning? What is the connection between Personal Project and

Interdisciplinary learning Provide examples of any interdisciplinary teaching you

have been engaged in.

Think- Pair-Share Activity – 10 minutes


Goals of this presentation

What is interdisciplinary learning?

Why does interdisciplinary learning matter?

How to craft multifaceted unit questions in the chosen AOIs?

What disciplinary tools will students need?

How will disciplines come together?

What will students do to learn?

How to assess interdisciplinary learning?


An important feature of MYP curriculum and pedagogy is its commitment to students’ interdisciplinary learning—that is, their ability to make meaningful connections across two or more subjects in order to understand, and act in, the world.

Interdisciplinary learning in the MYP


When does a student demonstrate Interdisciplinary understanding?Students demonstrate interdisciplinary understanding

of a particular topic when they can bring together concepts, methods, or forms of communication from two or more disciplines to solve a problem, create a product, or raise a new question in ways that would have been unlikely through a single disciplinary mean.

Interdisciplinary instruction does not replace disciplinary teaching; rather it builds on it


“The Sound of Music” (The International School of Uganda)

MYP 2 :Physics and Music

Unit question: “How do musical instruments produce sound to create interesting experiences?”


Three qualities of interdisciplinary understanding in the context of this example

Purposeful: What purpose did teachers pursue? Why did understanding the sound of music matter?

Understanding how instruments work to create compelling musical experiences and our human capacity to create compelling artistic experiences with materials in our natural environment (human ingenuity).


Disciplined: Through Physics they learned what constitutes a

sound wave and how sound travels through different media

Understanding sound waves did not prepare these students to use sound in musically compelling ways

Through Music they learned how pitch and volume could be manipulated to create compelling music.


Integrative: Students will understand the science of sound to explain how instruments make music. Students will explore new musical possibilities enabled by innovative sounds


How might teachers approach interdisciplinary instruction in the MYP?

Small scale disciplinary extensions Interdisciplinary “threads” in a course

Large scale interdisciplinary units/project

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsJR2X-j7s4


Why does interdisciplinary learning matter?

Because it helps students to:

develop a holistic view of concepts and issues For example, “The sound of music” unit shows

students engaging with different interests (for example, social, technical, scientific, musical, artistic) in a meaningful way.


become life-long learners and problem solvers They gain confidence in their capacity to investigate

and inquire independently in the areas of knowledge about which they know little and develop relevant expertise.

In doing so, interdisciplinary teaching strives to nurture students’ long term attitudes toward lifelong learning.


gain an intellectually rigorous view of knowledge

We’re teaching them an appreciation of the creative process … why does a piece of work have the

power it has … not just in technique … much more concept and thinking based. These students aren’t just taught to do something: they’re taught to think why

they’re doing it, and how they’re doing it and where they’re doing it.


understand and address complex global issues.with the global climate change unit, using only science, teachers get to address only alternative fuel sources, and a lot of times, those alternative fuel sources are unrealistic without the context of economics or politics.


The sound of music” project offered an opportunity for each teacher to expand their expertise. The music teacher became intrigued by the science behind the musical arrangements she held dear.

The science teacher gained a new appreciation for the complexity of musical instruments

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nlxw9qflKxk

offering genuine opportunities for teachers’ professional development.


5 DESIGN PRINCIPLES OF 5 DESIGN PRINCIPLES OF INTERDISCIPLINARY TEACHINGINTERDISCIPLINARY TEACHING

How to craft a relevant ,feasible and clear multifaceted unit question with AOI and key

concept in mind?

INTERDISCIPLINARY INTERDISCIPLINARY UNDERSTANDINGUNDERSTANDING

purposeful, disciplined, integrativepurposeful, disciplined, integrative

What disciplinary tools will students need?

How will disciplines come together ?

What will students do to learn?

How do we know students are understanding?


Within your year level groups use your current unit plans to map out an interdisciplinary unit you would be interested to work on with at least two other subjects

( use mahjong paper and different colored markers ) Focus on one area of interaction and at least one key

concept Design a multifaceted unit question relating your subject

content to your chosen AOI and key concept Preparation time – 15 minutes Presentation time – 10 minutes Questions

Activity


MYP guide to interdisciplinary teaching and learning Published May 2010 International Baccalaureate Website: http://www.ibo.org

Gardner, H and Boix Mansilla, V. 1994. “Teaching for understanding in the disciplines and beyond.” Teachers College Record 96 (2) pp 198–218

Thank You

Abdes Kaur

References:

Developing interdisciplinary understanding for MYP teachers Fairview International School JB April...

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