Session Objectives:

1. discuss the growing need for interdisciplinary curriculum – in this part, we will be discussing
about the reasons why there is a need to integrate curriculum? We will also be exploring the
two reasons why some failed in attempting to integrate the curriculum.
2. differentiate the types of curriculum integration – in this portion, we will be exploring the
design, characteristics and importance of each type of curriculum integration specifically
multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary curriculum. Moreover, we will be
providing examples in each curriculum.

WHY LOOK AT CURRICULUM INTEGRATION?

Activity 3: What do you think are the factors why we need to combine disciplines or to create an
integrated unit? Why look at curriculum integration? (https://bit.ly/3RF3lmY)

The Growth of Knowledge

Knowledge is growing at exponential proportions in all areas of study resulted from research and
practice. Curriculum has the blessing and burden of growth wherein the curriculum planner should
craft an effective one. He must know what to include, what should be taught and what should be
eliminated. By combining topics or related disciplines may lessen the burden in selecting the contents
and framing it in the curriculum.

Fragmented Schedules

Dividing time into blocks is made to parcel out “specific responsibilities” and to “maintain”
accountability. As discussed, a while ago, students view the curriculum as divisive, fragmented
because they need to study a certain discipline in a fixed time schedule. In addition, for every block,
students encounter another setting, another subject, another teacher. By integrating curriculum,
students can apply the discipline and skills in one block of time.

Relevance of Curriculum

We might have encountered students asked questions such as how can we use it to our daily lives. For
example, they find it difficult to understand why they need math when most of their instruction is
based on a textbook used in isolation from its applications.

Outside of school, we deal with problems and concerns in a flow of time that is not divided into
knowledge fields. We get up in the morning and confront the whole of our lives. It is not that schools
should avoid dealing with specific disciplines; rather, they also need to create learning experiences
that periodically demonstrate the relationship of the disciplines to real world encounters, thus
heightening their relevancy.

Society’s Response to Fragmentation

We cannot expect students to cope with the multifaceted nature of work if they are trained people in
specialized way. We have become a specialized world, but the pendulum is swinging toward some
balance. Through integration, students can draw from the range of fields/disciplines to better serve
specific fields, issues or themes. This trend in schools toward integration will help students better
integrate strategies from their studies into the larger world.