Schools promoted the benefits of interdisciplinary learning ideas

In society, there is a lot of talk about the new content of general education, which is based on a competency approach, so teachers must now think about how to draw attention to the challenges of the times dictated by the age – the need to develop pupils' critical thinking, problem solving, cooperation and communication, learning skills. Life has proved to all of us that the problems and situations of real daily (and not only!) can be solved by using only the knowledge acquired in several subjects, that is, inter-disciplinary.
In this school year, two schools, Sakstagala Jānis Kaidas elementary School and Maltas secondary school, implemented interdisciplinary learning ideas that started Rezekne's municipality in the competition announced in autumn 2015. One of the main ideas of the competition was to encourage teachers to cooperate and develop their skills in the implementation of interdisciplinary projects in the learning process, thus making learning more interesting, meaningful and practical. No less important task was to promote the work carried out at the level of the municipality, so the group of stakeholders from different municipality schools went through an exchange of experience.
Sakstagala Job Kevin's primary school presented the project “knock on his future!” The progress and results of the introduction of the do-re-Mi-fa. Sakstagalā 5-9 students were involved in interdisciplinary interdisciplinary exercises throughout the year. We had not seen so many ideas together: how to prepare non-traditional clocks, experiments not only in natural sciences, but also in Latvian and music, learn to drain the anthem, make words and record their songs using the program songsmith and a lot, a lot of other encouraging learning. Thank teachers Anita Cercenai, Anita Doroshchonokai, Anne Klushai and Sanitai Ivanovsk, who used their creative potential to animate the interdisciplinary idea by integrating natural sciences, music, Latvian language, visual art, household and technology into an exciting manner.
Maltas High School teacher Inga Lubanes, Valentine Chepeles, Ruth Mika and Stanislava Valenica's idea “Homo erectus“ veni, environment, vici! ”included the acquisition of Latvian people's ancient history not only in history but also in social sciences, sports, domestic and technology. The project involved six class pupils, but it was particularly exciting that it turned out to be boys because the arcs and shooting competitions were the final result of the practical part. Thank teachers for courage and gumption!
The pupils at the time of the visit unanimously acknowledged that interdisciplinary learning is also a practical activity that allows them to show themselves in a non-traditional manner, make more collaborative and communicate, develop critical and creative thinking, follow-up skills, and enable the development of practical skills. According to students, such learning is more interesting and exciting, but it is easier to learn and learn theoretical knowledge.
What do teachers think? Several acknowledged that the implementation of the interdisciplinary learning idea required additional work and time for planning, mutual discussions. It is surprising that some very experienced teachers acknowledged that it should be learning! Rather than learning abstract, non-tangible things “on paper”, while moving, modelling, deepening and practically implementing.
The educational administration, thinking about the future and promoting the activities of THE ERASMUS + project “My Best idea”, intends to continue the launching of the interdisciplinary idea competition in autumn 2016, as it is a way of encouraging teachers to try new approaches.
Well, and how can i make sure it's good and fond of it? Just in an attempt! So we will look forward to new ideas, interesting models of cooperation and courageous action!
Elita Opincane,
Educational Administration Officer