This document discusses interdisciplinary approaches to education. It begins by defining related terminology such as interdisciplinary, multi-disciplinary, and disciplinary. It then discusses how interdisciplinary approaches integrate knowledge from multiple fields to provide a more comprehensive understanding of complex issues that cannot be addressed by single disciplines alone. The document provides examples of interdisciplinary curricula in Nepal and at Kathmandu University. It also outlines the strengths of interdisciplinary learning in developing structural knowledge and making connections. While interdisciplinary approaches provide benefits, they also face challenges integrating fields and dealing with issues like territorial conflicts.

1. Interdisciplinary
Approaches to Education
Shree Prasad Devkota
Mphil Candidate (2013)
Development Study
School of Education
Kathmandu University

2. Scopes
1. Related Terminology
2. Concept
3. Interdisciplinary approach in Nepalese curriculum
4. Perspectives in Interdisciplinary Learning
5. Significance learning
6. Strengths and Weakness of Interdisciplinary Education

3. Related Terminology
• A disciplinary or holistic courses attempt to gain
comprehensive picture without specific
attention to disciplines or professional fields.
• Multi-disciplinary: a term used to study different
disciplines or subject separately to understand
phenomena

4. Interdisciplinary
• Science becoming more interdisciplinary because many
problems, challenges facing society are so complex that
they cannot be answered by a single discipline.
• It integrates information, perspectives, concepts or
theories from two or more disciplines of specialized
knowledge to advance fundamental understanding or
to solve problems whose solutions are beyond the
scope of a single discipline (Johnes, Aug 2012)

5. Interdisciplinary
• Two or more disciplines are brought together,
preferably in such a way that the disciplines interact
with one another and have some effect on one
another's perspectives (Rowntree, 1982, p. 135)
• Integration of multidisciplinary knowledge across a
central program (Ivanistskyaya, Clark, Montgomery and
Primeau, 2002)
• Involvement of several different professional areas
(Ivanistskyaya, Clark, Montgomery and Primeau, 2002)

6. Interdisciplinary
• It is 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 (Mansilla &
Duraising, 2007 Cited in Golding, 2009)

7. Social marketing demands
Interdisciplinary Approach
1. Commercial marketing
2. Social anthropology
3. Behavioral psychology
4. Communication theory
5. Education

8. Medical Knowledge
Psychological understanding
Sociological knowledge
Communication Skill
Research knowledge
Management Skill

9. Interdisciplinary curriculum in the
formal education of Nepal
English
Mathematics
Computer
education
Population
Nepali
Social studies
Science
Health/enviro
nment
education
ECA

10. Interdisciplinary Curriculum in
Development Study, Mphil, KU
Education
Sociology Professional
writing
ResearchStatistics
Foundation
Diversity

11. Educational
Issues
Behavioristic
perspective
Economic
perspective
Biological
perspective
Political
perspective
Media
perspective
Social cultural
perspective
Linguistic
Perspective
Cognitive
perspective

12. Association between the Interdisciplinary
Subjects (Diversity of Education, Mphil Class, 2012)
Cultural
Diversity
Linguistic
Diversity
Bio Diversity

13. Perspectives in Interdisciplinary
Learning
1. It facilitates the development of structural
knowledge: an understanding of higher-order
relationships and organizing principles
2. Encourage to perceive the connections between
seemingly unrelated domains, thereby facilitating
a personalized process of organizing knowledge.
3. Assimilate newly integrated concepts with prior
knowledge and experience

14. Interdisciplinary Promotes Significant
Learning
1. Foundational Knowledge acquiring information and
understanding ideas
2. Application – acquiring an understanding of how and when to
use skills
3. Integration – the capacity to connect ideas
4. Human Dimension - recognition of the social and personal
implications of issues
5. Learning How-to-Learn – obtaining insights into the process of
learning

15. To apply interdisciplinary approach
one needed to:1. Understand several important disciplinary perspectives are relevant to
every environmental decision
2. Understand the perspective of each relevant discipline
3. Judge how important each perspective is for the issue at hand
4. Evaluate the evidence or reasons supporting each of the perspectives
5. Balance, weigh-up or accommodate the pressures from the different
perspectives in order to reach a reasonable and creative decision or
outcome;
6. Make a case for why this decision or outcome is better than
alternatives.

16. an example of a subject that takes an
interdisciplinary approach
Main
issue
Homosexuality: In particular, the different perspectives
and views of homosexuality
Disciplines
to be
integrated
Discipline 1: Biology
Understand and take a position on the extent to which
homosexuality is acquired or innate
Discipline 2: Laws, rights and politics
Understand and evaluate the current policy, laws and rights
about homosexuality and their social effects
Discipline 4: Theology
Understand and evaluate the reasoning behind the positions
taken by various religious groups
Discipline 5: Psychology and Sociology
Understand the psychological and sociological implications
of particular views about homosexuality

17. Strengths of Interdisciplinary Education
1. Collaboration with disciplines
2. Expose with issues and apply holistic approach
3. Develop critical vision and address a problem from multiple
perspective
4. Promote group dynamism
5. Expanding understanding and achievement between all
discipline
6. Individual become independent and confident
7. Metacognition: Critical and independent thinking
8. Epistemological development

18. Challenges in Interdisciplinary
1. Misunderstanding of disciplines
2. Over-reliance on one theory or perspective
3. Integration confusion, time consuming in curriculum
preparation
4. Lack of sufficient time for collaboration work
5. Overlapping roles
6. Territorial and status conflict
7. Inadequate funding
8. Isolate from the core of own field
9. Lacks specific understand knowledge

19. Reference
Jones, C. (2010). Interdisciplinary approach-advantages,
disadvantages and future benefits of interdisciplinary
studies. ESSI, 7 (1). College of Dupage
Ivanistskaya, L., Clark, D., Montgomery, G., & Primeau, R.
(2002). Interdisciplinary learning: process and
outcomes. Innovation Higher Educaiton, 27 (2). Human
Sciences Press, Inc.
Golding, C. (2009). Integrating the discipline: successful
interdisciplinary subjects. Center for the study of higher
education. The University of MELBOUNE.
Bennett, S. (Feb, 2012). Increasing psychology’s role in
interdisciplinary science. 43 (2) Monitor ON
PSYCHOLOGY. APA Publication.