Curriculum Integration in the Senior Secondary School: A Case Study in A National Assessment Context

Y

21

Integrated Curriculum; Secondary School Curriculum; Case Studies; National Competency Tests; Observation; Interviews; Focus Groups; Student Surveys; Online Surveys; Teacher Surveys; Student Satisfaction; Interdisciplinary Approach; Faculty Development; Learning Modules; Teaching Methods; Access to Information; Foreign Countries

10.1080/00220272.2017.1386234

0022-0272

This paper considers curriculum integration in the secondary school context and investigates the claims made that it can enhance learning outcomes for students. I argue that curriculum integration should be utilized not as a main means of curricular delivery but as a supplementary opportunity to put disciplinary knowledge to use in certain, well-planned contexts. In other words, disciplinary learning comes first and is then deepened through application in an interdisciplinary context. This argument is illustrated through a case study of a new "21st Century" secondary school where interdisciplinarity is a cornerstone of the school's philosophy. Methods for the study included weekly observations, interviews, focus groups and a survey. I conclude by suggesting that teachers require further time and assistance to develop programmes and evaluative criteria to ensure learning moves beyond thematically generated common sense knowledge, towards interdisciplinary insights.

As Provided

75

2017

EJ1164405