Transdisciplinary Learning

“Transdisciplinary learning in the PYP refers to learning that is not confined within the boundaries of traditional subjects but is supported and enriched by them."

This mornings Parent Forum explored the idea of Transdisciplinarity in learning. We thought about the question ‘How is learning at ISU like a cake?’ and, while making a cake mix in small groups, we thought about the learning involved in this process. We realised that a lot of social and thinking skills were involved in the process and later recognised, in terms of traditional subject areas, that language, mathematics and science was practised.

The IB states

“Transdisciplinary learning in the PYP refers to learning that is not confined within the boundaries of traditional subjects but is supported and enriched by them. A key imperative of transdisciplinary learning is to unite knowledge for the understanding of the present world. In transdisciplinarity, the disciplines are no longer distinguishable, like the ingredients in a cake, and the result is something completely different.”
(2018,p.2-3)

We familiarised ourselves with the six transdisciplinary themes of the Primary Years Programme; themes that our units of inquiry are designed under. The six themes are:

• Who we are.
• Where we are in place and time.
• How we express ourselves.
• How the world works.
• How we organize ourselves.
• Sharing the planet.

These themes present global significance and provide context for integrated learning of traditional subject areas. We looked at some of the Central Ideas explored in our Junior School classes this year and had a go at matching them to the themes. 

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