IDU: Home

There are many different forms of interdisciplinary learning. Click to learn more

What are some different "ways in" to interdisciplinary learning? Click to learn more

Benefits for Students

• allows students to use knowledge domains creatively to foster new understanding
• develops mental flexibility that prepares students to be lifelong learners
• promotes intellectual rigour by providing a holistic approach to the study of complex issues and ideas
• models the importance of collaboration and teamwork across disciplines (an important life skill)
• supports and promotes transfer of understanding.

Source: Fostering Interdisciplinary Teaching & Learning

Benefits for Teachers

• develops holistic understanding of disciplinary concepts and contexts
• increases collaboration across subject groups and fosters collegiality
• allows subject groups to share responsibility for developing content, skills and processes (managing time effectively)
• offers opportunities for rich and authentic professional development with colleagues from other disciplines or subject groups.

Source: Fostering Interdisciplinary Teaching & Learning

What are the "IB Requirements" of IDU's?

Quotes below are from grey boxes in in the IDU guide. Bullet points are WAB notes.

We are on a journey: focus on learning. Don't worry. 

"In each year of the programme, MYP schools are responsible for engaging students in at least one collaboratively planned interdisciplinary unit that involves at least two subject groups." (source)

• All students need to have IDU experiences each year. "At least one" is not a limitation. 

"When engaging students in formal, collaboratively planned interdisciplinary units, schools must use the interdisciplinary unit planning process." (source)

• This is a supported, collaborative planning process. Don't worry. 

"In each year of the programme, schools must address all four objectives (every strand) of interdisciplinary learning." (source)

• These strands can be a good guide for planning and reflection, as well as assessment. It is a journey, don't worry. 

"Schools must report student achievement in interdisciplinary learning to students and parents." (source)

• Reporting takes many forms; it doesn't need to be high-stakes and shouldn't undermine the learning. Don't worry. 

"When engaging students in formal collaboratively planned interdisciplinary units, schools must use the interdisciplinary assessment criteria to inform formative assessment and to determine achievement levels for summative assessment tasks." (source)

• This is a complex puzzle to solve. We are on a journey, put the learning first. Don't worry. 

Further clarification on applying the IDU criteria is here.