Integrated Curricula

Synonyms

Cross-disciplinary; Interdisciplinary; Thematic; Transdisciplinary

Definition

Most curriculum documents around the world are structured around subjects that are derived from disciplines. The subjects provide order and authenticity to the nature and scope of the knowledge to be taught and learned in schools. Curriculum integration is about teaching and learning processes that cross the traditional disciplinary or subject matter boundaries in some way. Integration can occur between broader subjects such as history and science, for example, students could learn about the history of the development of human understanding of gravity. Integration can also occur between closer disciplines within science, for example, students could learn about both mechanics and anatomy through investigations of bird flight. Some curriculum documents highlight the importance of integration, and others ignore it altogether. There are a number of alternative terms that are used to refer to integrated...