Developing Interdisciplinary Studies:  Building Connections through Innovative Technologies 

An Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies

What does interdisciplinary studies mean?

The term interdisciplinary is used to describe an approach to learning and knowledge that integrates and benefits from the approaches of different subjects and disciplines.  The term interdisciplinary includes:

• multidisciplinary approaches, where the subjects or disciplines are connected through a theme, issue, problem, or research question
• interdisciplinary approaches, where a theme, issue, problem, or research question defines the approach taken and directs the attempt to seek a synthesis across subject/discipline boundaries
• transdisciplinary approaches, where real-life contexts direct learning that goes beyond particular subjects or disciplines

Assignment One:  Self-Assessment

Complete the self-assessment on knowledge and skills (handout).

Assignment Two:  Interdisciplinary Studies

Look at the Interdisciplinary Studies:  Skills and Knowledge worksheet (ask for the handout).  Match the skills listed to the pictures found on the worksheet.  Post - and defend - your choices on the ICT blog. 

An Introduction to Information and Communication Technology

Assignment Three:  The Need to Communicate

View A Brief History of Communication Technology

Assignment Four:  The Structure and Classification of Knowledge

Along with our need as humans to communicate ideas is a need to organize them as well.  We will explore a few systems of organization, beginning with the Dewey Decimal Classification system and the Library of Congress Classification system. 

First, read the Structure and Classification of Knowledge handout.  Then: 

Watch this:  Introducing the Dewey Decimal System 

Explore this:  The Library of Congress

(i) Consider the three questions listed on the handout.  Choosing one of the two systems explored, post a blog providing answers to the questions.

(ii) Explore the classification systems used in the Google or Yahoo directory.  Make a diagram illustrating how information is classified.  What does an internet browser have in common with one of the two traditional classification systems?  What is different about it?  How do you account for these differences?  Post your thoughts on the blog.

(iii) Choose textbooks from three different subjects and compare the table of contents of each.  How is information structured and organized differently in each subject?  What is similar?  Different?   Consider this question and prepare to discuss it:  "How does the way information is organized affect how we understand or process knowledge?"  To put the question another way, does the way ideas and knowledge are broken down and categorized help us understand it better?

Assignment Five:  The Impact of Key Interdisciplinary Practitioners 

(to be posted)

Assignment Six:  Introduction to Research Methodologies 

(to be posted) 

Assignment Seven:  Reflection on Expectations and Unit Task 

(to be posted) 

How to Write a Good Survey 

ICT and Innovative Learning