Week 31 Professional context crossing boundaries

Week 31

Professional context crossing boundaries.

“The  interdisciplinary approach has become an important and challenging technique in the in the modern curriculum.  The interdisciplinary approach synthesizes more than one discipline and creates teams of teachers and students that enrich the overall educational experience” (Casey Jones, 2010)

One of the potential interdisciplinary connections from my map as my near future goal.

I have chosen to focus on the upcoming COL (community of learning) which is starting to take shape for my school and others in the community. “This learning community cluster includes three state primary schools, one state intermediate school, two state secondary schools and nine early childhood education providers” (http://shapingeducation.govt.nz/guiding-the-process-of-renewal/find-my-school/linwood-learning-community-cluster).

If, like all things this is planned well I see a wealth of advantages for the children, parents and staff within our school.

We could see a future focused curriculum, one in which the students within the COL could potentially travel between the  schools to attend programmes of specialisation such as

• Extension programmes for core subjects (gifted and talented).
• Extensive sport and recreation programmes.
• Extensive Art programmes, including music and drama.

This would allow a real freedom of choice, with far more options available than ever before.  A sharing of resources throughout the schools could save money. The wealth of knowledge from the professionals would make a valuable practice of community.

However with all change comes potential challenges and the planning behind this initiative must be very in depth, involving professionals on the “ground floor”

Challenges I have identified are

• The after hours time needed for meetings throughout the schools. Meetings would need to be regular and involve all staff in the COL to keep all involved focused and working in the same direction.
• The paperwork would increase with assessments and reporting on children coming in from other schools. “Interdisciplinary curricula is time consuming and takes collaborative team work to create, which can seem like a hard and exhausting disadvantage” Casey Jones (2010)
• Routines and practices will need to change for some, as all schools need to be using the same systems and procedures to be united.
• There is the chance that those special teacher student connections (which are critical in my school) could be lost as the students move about and have frequent changes in teacher.
• There is the potential for unhealthy competition within the schools and their achievements.
• There is potential schools lose the special culture and character they have developed over the years.

Whilst I see advantages and disadvantages to being involved with the interdisciplinary approach that is our community COL. I need to know more, and to see examples of COLs working with evidence of success or not, to sway my decision.

Casey Jones (2010) Interdisciplinary Approach - Advantages,Disadvantages, and the Future Benefits of Interdisciplinary Studies. Education 1100.