ERIC Number: EJ1093070
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0141-9072
EISSN: N/A
Curriculum for Excellence and Interdisciplinary Learning
Humes, Walter
Scottish Educational Review, v45 n1 p82-93 2013
This paper examines the recommendations contained in Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) aimed at encouraging the integration of knowledge, skills and understanding across different areas of the curriculum. It first outlines what is said in the official CfE documentation and supporting materials produced by Education Scotland, noting the absence of references to earlier work on curriculum integration and interdisciplinarity. The sections that follow focus on four issues that are critical for the coherence and success of attempts to promote interdisciplinary work: the way in which interdisciplinarity is conceptualised; ensuring that cross-curricular connections are convincing and intellectually challenging; devising pedagogic strategies that are effective; and addressing operational obstacles to interdisciplinary work. The paper ends by posing a series of questions that need to be considered if the aims of interdisciplinary learning are to be achieved. It is suggested that, at present, these aims are well-intentioned but rather ill-defined.
Descriptors: Excellence in Education, Interdisciplinary Approach, Teaching Methods, Integrated Curriculum, Foreign Countries, Educational Change, Educational Policy, National Curriculum, Elementary Secondary Education
Scottish Educational Review. School of Education, University of Edinburgh, Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8AQ, Scotland, UK. e-mail: ser@stir.ac.uk; Website: http://www.scotedreview.org.uk
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom (Scotland)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A