EDG4376 Reflection #9

The interdisciplinary model, the problem-based model, and the theme-based model are three different forms of curriculum integration that have developed in recent years. Many educational researchers believe that integrated curriculums in schools can help boost intellectual interest and curiosity in students, as well as critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. According to them, if the subject matter is relevant to students’ everyday lives, then students will become motivated to seek out understanding for themselves.
In the interdisciplinary model of curriculum integration, a variety of different teams of teachers are responsible for specific groups of students. There are four periods each day, consisting of about 175 minutes each. Teachers are encouraged to use their blocks of time any way they choose, as long as the four core subjects, English, Math, Science, and Social Studies are covered. In this approach, students and teachers have the opportunity to get to know each other on a personal level. However, teachers need to work closely as a team in order to ensure state standards are being met. This is also an issue in the problem-based model of curriculum integration because it is based on the utilization of hands-on technology. The problem-based model focuses mainly on integrating science, mathematics, and technology with the ultimate goal of applying problems to real world situations. Students learn to work in collaborative group situations and make use of authentic assessment, learning Language Arts and Social Studies as they proceed through the curriculum. In the final approach, the theme-based model, it is easier for teachers to address state and national education standards. However, researchers suggest that many key concepts that are addressed in the theme-based model have little to do with a specific discipline, which ultimately results in irrelevant learning for the students. In general, the theme-based model covers three to five key concepts, including mathematics, science, language arts, technology, and/or social studies. All three of these integrated curriculum concepts are based on a Constructivist approach. The students will eventually build their own knowledge base, assuming that the educators are working as a team with the students’ best interests at heart.