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Impact of Interdisciplinary Learning: Connecting Students to a Sense of Community
Impact of Interdisciplinary Learning: Connecting Students to a Sense of Community
By Tracy Faucher, Deputy Head
Here at HTS, there is one thing that we know to be true when fostering critical thinking amongst our students—the interconnectedness of knowledge is key. While schools have traditionally taught in a way that keeps subjects and ideas entirely separate, we are building a different model to help prepare students to pull from vast and diverse areas when problem-solving. Our approach encourages students to bridge the gap between subjects through interdisciplinary learning experiences, which facilitate a deeper understanding of real-world issues and equip them with practical skills for the future.
Interdisciplinary learning experiences take many forms across all three divisions at HTS as our teachers work together to design experiences and curricula that ignite curiosity and challenge students to integrate knowledge from multiple subject areas. An example of this from our grade 2 classrooms is when students combined mapping skills from social studies with coding skills from mathematics to build their own personalized maps. After they designed their map, they coded a path for their Beebot to travel on, before recording the code and matching it to the corresponding cardinal direction. Technology, design, mathematics and social studies were all brought together for an experience that engaged and excited students, while building the habit of approaching their learning using multiple disciplines.
The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.
Albert Einstein
Our teachers are truly passionate about exploring different ways that interdisciplinary learning can exist in their courses. Middle School Drama Teacher Mr. Edward Daranyi feels that using this instructional design approach “heightens the level of engagement of students—especially those who may be reluctant to step out of their comfort zone”. As well as noting an “increase in focused attention”, Mr. Daranyi believes that interdisciplinary learning “gives students more space for creativity, critical thinking and high-order reasoning skills, all in a positive atmosphere where they don’t always need to be at a desk”. And when students see that their learning is multidimensional, it has extra value. Suddenly, it is not just Science, Drama, or English, it is something new that takes on a different feeling altogether.
Our Senior school students are also involved in various interdisciplinary learning experiences. Ms. Katie Young, Acting Director of Experiential Learning, prioritizes this method of teaching in her classes because “interdisciplinary experiences enhance students’ learning by fostering connections between diverse subjects, encouraging critical thinking beyond disciplinary boundaries, and promoting a holistic understanding of complex real-world problems”. Ms. Young believes this interdisciplinary approach enables HTS learners to “gain a deeper and more meaningful insight into the interconnectedness of the world around us, making their learning experience more authentic, profound, and impactful”.
By breaking down the barriers between subjects, students are better prepared for the complexities of modern careers which often demand multifaceted problem-solving abilities. And by integrating their passions into their studies—whether it’s combining science and art to explore environmental issues or merging coding and music to create unique compositions—students transform into well-rounded individuals who have the skills to find solutions to complex problems in unique and creative ways.
…interdisciplinary learning gives students more space for creativity, critical thinking and high-order reasoning skills, all in a positive atmosphere where they don’t always need to be at a desk. When students see their learning is multidimensional, it has extra value.
