Interdisciplinary Teaching

Interdisciplinary teaching is all about simultaneous application of knowledge, ideas, and/or values of a domain in multiple academic domains. These domains may be related through a central theme, issue, problem, process, topic, or experience. The basic building block of interdisciplinary teaching is known as a theme, thematic unit, or unit. A unit is a detailed plan with desired goals/results which set expectations on what the students should know at the end of these experiences and tutorials included in the unit. The schools integrate different disciplines in two levels: In the first level, various language arts are integrated (listening, speaking, reading, writing, thinking); and in the second level, all curricular areas are integrated into one based on a theme.

Interdisciplinary teaching is gaining wide acceptance as an efficient method to answer some frequently occurring educational problems like fragmentation and isolated skill instruction. It can also help us in handling different aspects of education like knowledge transfer, training students on thinking and reasoning, and designing a more relevant curriculum for the students.

Benefits of Interdisciplinary Teaching

Interdisciplinary teaching refers to the methodology adopted in imparting of knowledge using an integration of content and skills simultaneously from several disciplines to teach one particular academic discipline. This is a highly motivational style of teaching since the students experience certain cohesiveness among learning of different school subjects taught in the scholastic session. Students view a definite relationship among the diverse disciplines and not as fragments of a whole. When students are tutored using this approach, they can use it as building blocks to add to their knowledge base, consolidating the connection between it and what they are in the process of learning. This inter-collaborative teaching establishes a level of thinking that is far superior and much needed for greater success in life.

Interdisciplinary teaching is a high-strung way of teaching and calls for teachers to have special skills and imagination. The trick is to bring the various branches of learning under one umbrella, yet keeping the pupils from feeling lost or uncomfortable. Increased thrust is given to the field of learning while taking maximum advantage of diverse viewpoints. With the elimination of elements of isolated, water-tight teaching, students actually begin to enjoy and come up with fresh ideas themselves.

Social studies incorporates the study of social sciences and humanities so that proficiency in community living is enhanced. Teaching of this subject needs special aptitude on the part of the teacher as she has to link whatever knowledge she is disseminating to real life situations of her students. Subjects such as history, geography, sociology, political science, psychology, anthropology, civics, economics and religion are comprised under the broad term of "social studies". The composition and focus on each of the disciplines may however vary depending upon what the level the students are at, that is, primary, middle or high school. Any aspect dealing directly with human society falls under its purview.

Social Studies Prepares Students for Society

How Social Studies Prepares Students for Society

Etymologically social studies refers to the different branches of study dealing with social sciences such as civics, economics, linguistics, management, history, geography and a host of others. It varies from natural sciences and affects human behavior and interpersonal relationships. Social studies is a crucial discipline in the school curriculum. Social sciences had their roots in the study of philosophy and theology in ancient times, gaining greater impetus during the medieval era. It prepares students to face life's challenges realistically, systematically and with a practical bent of mind. Yet, it is a sorry state of affairs that in a hurry to get ahead in life and career, students and even educational institutions lay poor, if any, attention to the richness of learning- teaching of social studies.

A few of the areas of social sciences that mould the personalities of students are discussed below:

Integrate education with life - This branch of learning helps pupils to analyze real life situations in their correct context. Students are drilled in the finer realms, such as oneness of mankind, cooperation, justice for all. The learners begin to appreciate the very essence of living in this world full of strife and everyday grind. A realistic viewpoint and a practical outlook are adopted by students of social studies.

Deeper understanding of human nature and behavior - Through the learning of social sciences, predictions can be made about how people will react under certain circumstances. This also implies that while dealing with people, the knowledge of his mental make-up can help in assessing the way he is likely to give an overt expression to his innermost, pent up emotions. Psycho-analysis has become an indispensible part of any organization's day-to-day functioning. All successful entrepreneurs have also been good psychologists. Teachers too need to understand educational psychology. In fact, professionals in all walks of life must have an insight into how and why people think and behave in the manner they do.

An air of authenticity has come to surround social studies since the percentage of students' participation is higher in the teaching-learning process. The child-focused curriculum makes each student singular, encouraging greater enthusiasm. In the context of social studies, cross curricular instructions proves ideal since each of the subjects falling under its broad head are, more or less, interwoven. To exemplify, geography has influenced history, which in turn had a tremendous impact upon the economy of a country. Furthermore, the society and political structure is affected by the financial system and psychology of people. It is this beauty of interdependence that instructing using cross curricular or thematic style adds much realism to social studies.

Importance of Social Studies

There are many reasons for the importance of social studies. For instance, it increased consciousness. Powerful teaching of social studies generates greater awareness in students of their civic duties. The learners are encouraged to uphold the democratic values so that they not only survive but also thrive. The students' eagerness, readiness and willingness to assume increased responsibilities as a citizen of a nation are ignited by social. They become well-informed residents who will sustain and further the cause of democracy when they grow up and take up the reins of the land. They can contribute positively towards the global cohesiveness. Its cumulative effect is reflected in how well civilians participate in understanding the government policies.

The importance of social studies is that it helps make students environmentally conscious. Through the studying of geography, environmental science, the learner realizes how devastating tampering with nature can be. He becomes responsive towards the importance of maintaining ecological balance, thus impeding the eventual destruction of nature. The importance of social studies is that it helps students to understand how nations and cultures are interconnected and affect one another.

For predicting the outcome of future events based upon past examples - Correlating the past to foresee the future can be deftly accomplished by students of social. Interpretation of statistical data can come in handy while laying out future plans at local, national and international levels. Projections are made and chances of lurking dangers are eliminated. Political leaders know how necessary it is to look ahead, while keeping an eye on the past experiences.

The importance of social studies can never be overemphasized. It forms a crucial part of K-12 curricula, instilling in the young minds awareness of the society around them and how best they can not only fit in but contribute towards its betterment. Parents and educationists around the globe have come to hail social studies as one of the greatest catalyst of humanitarian advancement. Although of-late, the subject has taken a backseat, owing to stiffer competition for the scarce jobs, it has not lost its intrinsic charm and utility. Some of the most critical disciplines of scholastic syllabus fall under its broad umbrella, such as history, geography, political science, sociology, anthropology, linguistics, economics, civics, theology and a number of others. Teaching of social studies has become an integral part of a student's growing up and all-round development to become an upright human being. Contributing towards the improvement of society at local, national and global levels is the core issue of social studies.

Benefits of Cross Curricular Instruction

There are many benefits to cross curricular instruction refers to the methodology adopted in imparting of knowledge using an integration of content and skills simultaneously from several disciplines to teach one particular academic discipline. This is a highly motivational style of teaching since the students experience certain cohesiveness among learning of different school subjects taught in the scholastic session. Students view a definite relationship among the diverse disciplines and not as fragments of a whole. When students are tutored using this approach, they can use it as building blocks to add to their knowledge base, consolidating the connection between it and what they are in the process of learning. This inter-collaborative teaching establishes a level of thinking that is far superior and much needed for greater success in life.

Cross curricular instruction is a high-strung way of teaching, which calls for teachers to have special skills and imagination. The trick is to bring the various branches of learning under one umbrella, yet keeping the pupils from feeling lost or uncomfortable. Increased thrust is given to the field of learning while taking maximum advantage of diverse viewpoints. With the elimination of elements of isolated, water-tight teaching, students actually begin to enjoy and come up with fresh ideas themselves. The curriculum is thus enriched. There are a number of benefits of cross curricular instruction, and they include the following:

· Since inter-disciplinary teaching consists of a conscious attempt to invoke the knowledge, values and principles of more than one academic subject, it reinforces them all. Students gain greater depth of understanding of all that are encompassed within each of such session. Their horizons are widened, while their educational base becomes broader and stronger.

· Breaking down the dividing barrier, students begin to "play while they learn", treating the entire learning process as one large experience and not broken up into isolated periods of fixed time span. They can spend longer hours at whatever they are being drilled or experimenting with, without feeling mentally exhausted.

· Cognitive learning dons a different nature as students interact, collaborate, co-operate in small groups making erstwhile learning seem quite outdated. This cross curricular instruction practice lends increased viability, authenticity, contextualization and relevance to what students imbibe.

· Another one of the benefits of cross curricular instruction is that students are offered a vaster scope to select topics they want to learn in accordance with their capabilities, needs and interest. This aspect is a catalyst for learners who put in greater efforts to achieve better at school.

· It becomes simpler to take students where they ought to be through gentle guidance. They can use what they already know to learn what they must learn. The unified system of transference of knowledge leaves an indelible mark on their minds. Students are able to amalgamate the theory and practical knowledge.

· The problem solving approach leaves the periodic testing in the hands of the teachers and students. Thus students become even more alert and responsible.

· The teachers too tend to become more cooperative, just as the students do.

The adaptable and flexible system of coaching is specially suited to social studies where the various branches of study are closely interlinked.