Activity 7: My interdisciplinary connection map

I have used Andrews (1990) definition of  interdisciplinary collaboration as occurring "when different professionals, possessing unique knowledge, skills, organizational perspectives, and personal attributes, engage in coordinated problem solving for a common purpose" (cited in Berg-Weger &. Schneider, 1998).
When reflect on the  interdisciplinary collaboration I currently undertake, I have a wide range of connections.  However, these connections are defined for specific purposes through a narrow lens. To explain this further, the public health nurse comes to our school to work with specific children rather than using her expertise in other areas, for example to support our learning in science.


When I think of potential interdisciplinary collaboration, I believe it is important to make those connections to local people. In our local area, there is a local group of athletes who are wanting to create a marathon.  This group of people are trying to re-energise an area that has seen an economic downturn.  Having the vision to create growth through adventure tourism and potential impacts of this on our local economy is powerful and authentic learner for our students.   
I agree with Mulligan and Kuban (2015) about  having the three elements (Qualities/Attitudes, Common Goals / Workplace Conditions)  working together  to lead to effective collaboration.  There are challenges when working with organisations outside education but the benefits to having an  interdisciplinary approach outweigh these.  Fundamental  to success interdisciplinary work, prior to action planning is having shared understanding (Thomas McDonagh Group, 2011) and clear expectations of all parties.  Furthermore, creating a memorandum of understanding to ensure that collaboration is successful and expectations are clear for all parties relates again to the elements discussed by Mulligan and Kuban (2015) .  
The goal of creating a marathon to support the local community means that there is a very measured outcome that is concrete for our learners to see.  I think the challenge will be ensuring that learners are playing an active role and for adults to realise how much that children are actually capable of.  The key to working with this group will be developing a clear action plan with SMART goals to ensure that our learners are having an active role.    As part of all action planning, having the specific actions with clear outcomes, and a timeline to this support implementation is key.  Organisation is vital for this to be successful.   I believe that time could be a challenge.  Providing time for children to work with this  group of athletes that works around their school at school that also works for the athletes.   However, teachers will need to clearly allow enough time for this in their programme and see the links that this has to curriculum.   
Despite the challenges, an interdisciplinary approach, it creates a deeper understanding about the issues that affect people in our local community, provides learners an opportunity to work with local people to help improve the economy and create  real change in our community.   



Mulligan, L. M., & Kuban, A. J. . (2015). A Conceptual Model for Interdisciplinary Collaboration. Retrieved from http://acrlog.org/2015/05/14/a-conceptual-model-for-interdisciplinary-collaboration

ThomasMcDonaghGroup. ( 2011, May 13). Interdisciplinarity and Innovation Education.[video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDdNzftkIpA

Comments

  1. Anonymous2 November 2017 at 01:16

    Hi Leonie, this is a very tidy, professional looking post! I like your point about the PHN. Just imagine how beneficial it would be to have her available to come into school and be an expert, teaching in a series of science or Health and PE lessons along with the teacher. I also agree with your point about the teacher having to see the curriculum connections and benefit of learning in a different way or through a different medium and then giving these initiatives time within the weekly plan so they fully utilise the outside professionals/expert partners and are successful.

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