Interdisciplinary Approach

Meaning, Definition, Aims, Objectives, Benefits, Advantages and Examples of Interdisciplinary Approach

1. Interdisciplinary Subjects & Approach Dr. Pooja Walia Assistant Professor Department of Education Mizoram University

2. Overview of the presentation MEANING CONCEPT DEFINITION EXAMPLES AIMS NEED IMPORTANCE ADVANTAGES

3. MEANING OF INTER-DISCIPLINARY In epistemological terms, the concept of interdisciplinary may be regarded as a form of co-operation between various disciplines/ subjects which contribute to the achievement of a common end, through their association, further the emergence and advancement of new knowledge. It is an approach that consciously applies methodology and language from more than one discipline to examine a central theme, issue, problem, topic, or experience.

4. CONCEPT OF INTER-DISCIPLINARY It is a holistic approach with a tradition in western thought that comes from Plato's ideal of unity as the highest good in all things . Interdisciplinarity nurtures a different perspective with focus on themes and problems of life experience. Interdisciplinary education is a means of communicating knowledge, know how and life skills in accordance with strategy which is not confined to progression within a single discipline or several disciplines considered independently of one another.

5. Definition of Interdisciplinary Interdisciplinary understanding as the capacity to integrate knowledge and modes of thinking in two or more disciplines or established areas of expertise to produce a cognitive advancement – such as explaining a phenomenon, solving a problem, or creating a product – in ways that would have been impossible or unlikely through single disciplinary means.

6. interdisciplinary subject Interdisciplinary subjects provide the platform to students for explore and integrate multiple perspectives from different disciplines, sub-disciplines and areas of expertise. Interdisciplinarity involves a synthesis or balance of multiple perspectives to produce such things as a deeper understanding or illumination, a balanced judgement, viable solution or a product that creatively accommodates the different perspectives. It is different from what might be called a multidisciplinary subject which juxtaposes multiple perspectives on the same topic without integration.

7. Examples of Interdisciplinary Subject Biophysics, Biochemistry Biotechnology Meteorology Environmental Education Education Economics…..

8. Examples of Interdisciplinary Subject Certain research areas are interdisciplinary, such as biophysics and quantum chemistry, which means that the boundaries of physics are not rigidly defined. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries physics emerged as a major unifying feature of the philosophy of science as physics provides fundamental explanations for every observed natural phenomenon. New ideas in physics often explain the fundamental mechanisms of other sciences, while opening to new research areas in mathematics and philosophy.

9. More Examples Biochemistry is the application of chemistry to the study of biological processes at the cellular and molecular level. It emerged as a distinct subject around the begining of the 20th century when scientist combined chemistry physiology and biology to investigate the chemistry of living system. For example Giberline hormone is found in plants which may be injected in the form of chemical to grow plant soon.

10. More Example Human biology is an interdisciplinary academic field of biology, biological anthropology, nutrition and medicine which focuses on humans; it is closely related to primate biology, and a number of other fields. Biophysics is the study of biological sysytem by using the methods and approches of physics. Biophysical research shares significant overlaps with biochemisrty, physical chemisrty, nanotechnology, bioengeeneing, computational biology , biomechanics and system biology

11. Biotechnology Biology remains the centrepiece of life science, technological advances in molecular biology and biotechnology have led to a burgeoning of specializations and new, often interdisciplinary, fields. Examples: Hybridisation Technology, Milk production increase after injection, Weight increase through injections of animals(Goat),Change in color combination by the change in tissue culture with the help of technology

12. More Example Meteorology is the interdisciplinary scientific study of the atmosphere. Studies in the field stretch back millennia, though significant progress in meteorology did not occur until the 17th century. The 19th century saw breakthroughs occur after observing networks developed across several countries. After the development of the computer in the latter half of the 20 th century, breakthroughs in weather casting were achieved.

13. aims of Interdisciplinary education To establish an integrated curriculum, that is to say, to organize the educational process in such a way that the learner is placed in meaningful situations. To engages in activities which require abilities relating to more than one subject area, so as to achieve an effective integration of this learning experience. To cater the demand of ever increasing society in terms of knowledge and population

14. OBJECTIVES OF INTER-DISCIPL INARY APPROACH be able to occupy and understand different disciplinary perspectives; be able to critically evaluate knowledge from a broad range of disciplines; be able to engage in interdisciplinary inquiry and problem-solving, employing multiple ways of knowing; to have a meta-disciplinary understanding of the nature of knowledge and the disciplines; be able to integrate, synthesise, balance and accommodate knowledge from multiple disciplines in order to produce something greater than would be possible from any one disciplinary perspective

15. NEED of Interdisciplinary approach Need of the hour Need to see World as a whole Utilisation of Science Copping with transformation of the world

16. NEED OF the hour It is recognised that the problems of the contemporary world are increasing day by day and their solution do not lie within one discipline. Current problems are interdisciplinary in nature, they must be tackled through interdisciplinary approach. It is also needed to prepare learners more adequately to shape and choose a future.

17. Need to see World as a whole The world in which we live is a unity, but that it can be looked at in a variety of ways. The disciplines look at the world from a particular viewpoint, for a particular purpose. If we concentrate in our teaching solely on these individual approaches, it is difficult for our students to see the world as whole, and to develop a broad understanding necessary for education. The student has to make sense of the world, to be able to operate successfully as a person, as a citizen, as a productive worker. That sense of understanding can be helped by the capacity to use the disciplines, singly and in co-operation, as appropriate.

18. utilisation of Application of science & Technology Science and technology education should be associated with productive work, in order to prepare the rising generation to cope with the problems of everyday life and the community, and at the same time to foster positive attitudes towards work. The importance of an interdisciplinary approach was emphasized as being essential both in education as a whole, and in the teaching of science and technology in particular.

19. Copping with transformation of the world Present curriculum is less appropriate as a means of preparation for a whole population, where the emphases need to be broader, including both intellectual development and aspects of productive work. There is an important reason to be prepared to look at the curriculum in an interdisciplinary way. Our present disciplines arose during the nineteenth century, from older ways of describing knowledge. Developments of this century cross the old boundaries, in nuclear technology, in space research, computers and molecular biology. We cannot restrict the possibilities to dividing lines which may cease to be relevant. So there is a need for interdisciplinary approach and subjects.

20. Importance of Interdisciplinary Approach This approach provides greater flexibility in the research. Creativity often requires interdisciplinary contributions to their new field. Some worthwhile topics of research fall in the intersect among the traditional disciplines. Many intellectual, social and practical problems require interdisciplinary approaches. Interdisciplinary knowledge and research serve to remind us of the unity in diversity.

21. ….. Interdisciplinarians often treat themselves to the intellectual equivalent of travelling in new lands. Interdisciplinarians may help to bridge communication gaps in the modern academy, thereby helping to mobilize its enormous intellectual resources in the cause of greater social rationality and justice.

22. Benefits of Interdisciplinary Education Interdisciplinary knowledge and application of different discipline can lead to greater creativity Students beginning to consolidate learning by synthesising ideas from many perspectives and consider an alternative way of acquire knowledge Exploring topics across a range of subjects boundaries motivates students to pursue new knowledge in different subject area Worthwhile topics of research can fall in the spaces, between the traditional disciplines Transferable skills of critical thinking, synthesis and research are developed and are applicable to future learning experiences

23. …… Critical thinking skills are used and developed as students look across disciplinary boundaries to consider over viewpoints and also begin to compare and contrast concepts across subject areas Students cover topics in more depth because they are considering the many and varied perspectives from which a topic can be explored Students are highly motivated when the pursuing topic is interesting to them. As a result, the content is often rooted in life experiences, giving an authentic purpose for the ;learning and connecting it to real world context Consequently learning becomes meaningful, purposeful and deeper resulting in learning experiences that stay with the students for a life time.

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