INTERDISCIPLINARY EDUCATION

Ankita_Singh - September 30, 2019

ESSAY

INTERDISCIPLINARY EDUCATION

Interdisciplinary Education for an Inclusive and Sustainable future

Education is the act of learning things around us. It helps us to easily understand and deal with any problem and makes balance throughout our whole life in every aspect. Education is the first and foremost right of every human being. Without education, we are incomplete and our lives are useless. It helps us to set a goal and go ahead by working on that throughout life.

It improves our knowledge, skill, confidence level and personality and empowers us intellectually to interact with others in our life. It brings maturity and teaches us to live in a society with a changing environment.

Children need to get a high-quality education, avoid violence and the criminal justice system, and gain jobs. But they deserve more. We want them to learn not only reading and mathematics but also fairness, caring, self-respect, family commitment, and civic duty.

A major change in our education system came with the colonization of the country by the Britishers. The British government introduced modern education in India, as they wanted some educated Indians to assist them in administering the state. The Indian education system is mainly divided into four stages-lower primaries, upper primary, high school, and higher secondary.

Interdisciplinary Education

This type of study allows the student to learn by making connections between ideas and concepts across different disciplinary boundaries. Students learning in this way are able to apply the knowledge gained in one discipline as a way to deepen the learning experience. The most effective approach to interdisciplinary study enables students to build their own interdisciplinary pathway by choosing courses that make sense to them. For example, it is not too difficult to find a theme that crosses over disciplinary boundaries in literature, art, and history of science and mathematics. Studying topics thematically is one way to bring ideas together resulting in learning that is more meaningful. This can occur by allowing students to choose their own subjects and their learning is deepened when they reflect on the connections between what they are learning in different disciplines.

One of the biggest barriers to achieving true interdisciplinary study in education environments is the necessity for collaboration of educators. This can be difficult to achieve, but not impossible. Interdisciplinary teaching and learning is maximized when professionals from different disciplines work together to serve a common purpose and to help students make the connections between different disciplines or subject area. Such interaction is in support of the constructivist paradigm, which allows for new knowledge construction and a deeper understanding of ideas than disciplinary study.

Making connections between different concepts is essential in interdisciplinary study. There are many benefits of studying in this way like –

· Students are highly motivated as they have a vested interest in pursuing topics that are interesting to them. As a result, the content is often rooted in life experiences, giving an authentic purpose for learning and connecting it to a real-world context. Consequently, the learning becomes meaningful, purposeful, and deeper.

· Learning experiences that stay with the student for a lifetime.

· Students cover topics in more depth because they are considering the many and varied perspectives from which a topic can be explored.

· Critical thinking skills are used and developed as students look across disciplinary boundaries to consider other viewpoints and also begin to compare and contrast concepts across the subject areas.

· Students begin to consolidate learning by synthesizing ideas from many perspectives and consider an alternative way of acquiring knowledge.

· Exploring topics across a range of subject boundaries motivate students to pursue new knowledge in different subject areas.

· Transferable skills of critical thinking, synthesis and research are developed and applied to future learning experiences.

· Interdisciplinary knowledge and application of different discipline can lead to greater creativity.

· Worthwhile topics of research can fall in the ‘spaces’ between the traditional disciplines.

Education for Sustainable Future

With a world population of 7.7 billion people and limited natural resources, we, as individuals and societies need to learn to live together sustainably. We need to take action responsibly based on the understanding of what we do today which can have implications on the lives of people and the planet in the future. Education for sustainable development (ESD) empowers people to change the way they think and work towards a sustainable future.

UNESCO aims to improve access to quality education on sustainable development at all levels and in all social contexts, to transform society by reorienting education and help people develop knowledge, skills, values, and behaviors needed for sustainable development. It is about including sustainable development issues, such as climate change and biodiversity into teaching and learning. Individuals are encouraged to be responsible actors who resolved challenges, respect, and cultural diversity and contribute to creating a more sustainable world.

Issues and Trends in Education for Sustainability

Development goals issues and trends in education for sustainable development is globally acknowledgeable as a powerful driver of change, empowering learners to take the decisions and actions needed to build a just and economically viable society respectful of both the environment and cultural diversity. This publication comes at a moment of heightened global interest in addressing sustainability challenges through education in order to achieve the targets of the 2030 sustainable development Agenda. ESD is not only recognized as a key enabler of sustainable development but an integral element of all quality education. By exploring key issues related to ESD policy and practice, UNESCO aims to help accelerate the reorientation of education and achieving a sustainable and resilient future.

Sustainable Development

In the 21^st century the United Nations (UN) Decade of ‘Education for Sustainable Development’ (UNDESD) (2005-2014) significantly heightened the vital role of education that can and must play in the universal journey towards sustainable development across the globe and saving our planet. In September 2015, the UN formally adopted the 17 sustainable development goals as an outcome of a major global consultative process. UNDESD advocates for providing the opportunity to progress towards implementing universal quality education that fosters the knowledge, skills, perspectives, values, and actions that lead towards a more sustainable future. The ‘sustainable development Goal 4’ recommends for quality education for all which has deep roots in many international declarations, like ‘Universal Declaration of Human Rights’, ‘Convention on Rights of Child’, ‘World Declaration on Education for All’ , ‘Dakar Framework for Actions’, ‘Millennium Development Goals.’ It considers education as very crucial for the well-being of individuals, nations and the world (UNESCO 2005). It looks at education as a key driver for ‘Sustainable Development Goals.’ Many international conferences were organized with the aim of bringing together global experience and expertise to highlight and strengthen the role of education in realizing the SDGs; creating an opportunity to build upon the learning from UNDESD and recognizing education as a key enabler.

While realizing the SDGs all across the globe, the emphasis has been shifted from a solely economic perspective to a larger view of development that includes three pillars i.e., environmental, social, and economic sustainability (people, planet, profit). Moreover, it is also recognized that policy instruments or technological solutions are not going to be enough for achieving SDGs; rather behavioral change and public awareness are very crucial for sustainable development. Therefore, the role of education and its outreach programs such as training and capacity building, communication, creating public awareness, scientific and applied research, sharing and access to information, networking, partnership, etc become the key strategies for achieving the SDGs. The SDG 4 purposes equal and inclusive education for all that is closely linked to the effective implementation of SDG 16 that focuses on the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies and most relevantly on building effective and accountable institutions at all levels. SDG 4 advocates to ‘ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promotes lifelong learning opportunities for all.’ It keeps the target that by 2030 all boys and girls should have complete, free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes. This is to ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development through education for sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, global citizenship, and promoting a culture of peace and goodwill. However, within the educational community, the focus has been shifted from access to equitable quality education to lifelong learning, strengthened training, and 21st-century skills for work and life and improved learning outcomes at all. Levels of education (Anderson 2014; UNESCO and UNICEF, 2013).New challenges to learning are the immerging world (UNESCO, 2015).In recent past Redecker et al. (2011) have identified six key challenges such as -1. Multicultural integration, immigration, and refugee problems, 2. Early school dropout and unemployment, 3. Fostering smart economy and innovation, 4. Removing the barrier between the world of work and education, 5. Preparing the skilled manpower for the labor market, 6. Permanent re-skilling and updating the competencies of all citizens. Therefore, we have to update our curricula, pedagogy, and educational resources to address the 21^st century challenges.

Four principles of learning and framework are relevant even today in the 21^st century for achieving quality and learning outcomes. These four pillars of education are learning to know, learning to do, learning to be, and learning to be together. For achieving sustainable development goals there is a critical need for universal access to quality education and visionary leadership. The Sustainable Development Goal on Education for 2030 targets to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. It is based on four focused areas: 1. Expanded access to quality learning for all across the various levels of education 2. Attention to the quality of education including content, relevance, and learning outcomes across the discipline, 3. Greater focus on equity for access and resources of education, 4. Gender equality across all levels of education with safe and supportive learning environments.

Sustainable development is a process that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, thus, sustainability is a paradigm for thinking about our future in which environmental, societal and economic consideration are balanced in the pursuit of improved quality of life and development. Till date the concept ‘Sustainable education’ has been interchangeably used with ‘sustainability education’, ‘Quality education for sustainable development’ or ‘Education for sustainability’ as identified by UNESCO’s SDG4 out of 17SD Goals. Over the years researchers have interpreted this in different ways according to their own justifications and research framework. Very recently (UNESCO, 2018) ‘Education for Sustainable Development’ (ESD) is placed at the center of 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and has been widely acknowledged as a key enabler of all 17 SD goals.

Therefore, the ESD integrated quality education system with measurable learning outcomes to become a cornerstone of the post-2014 ‘Global Action Programme’ on ESD and 2015 SDGs (UNESCO) as a pathway for global education reform and improvement. Many developed countries have even gone beyond i.e., Japan, South Korea, Australia, Sweden, Ireland, etc. However, in Asia-Pacific region, the application of innovative curriculum, content, progressive pedagogy, sustainability-oriented teaching material, practice standards, monitoring and auditing mechanisms for ESD teachings are very much required. Education plays a role in promoting sustainable development through three methods –

1. Education about sustainable development

2. Education for sustainable development

3. Critical education towards sustainable development

Current Status of Indian Education System

Since Independence, successive Indian governments have addressed number of key challenges in education by introducing new educational policies and schemes as a part of its development agenda i.e. “Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan”, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan”, Right to free and compulsory education Act” etc. However, as per “British council India” report (2014) the current Indian education system is guided by different objectives and goals but primarily based on the policies of yesteryears.

Sustainable Education for India

Way back in 2001, Sterling defined ‘Sustainable education’ as a “Change of educational culture that develops and embodies the theory and practice of sustainability”; Thus it is a transformative paradigm which values sustained and realizes human potentials in order to attain sustainable economic, social, and environmental goals. Therefore, Sustainable education logically necessitates a deep learning response in educational policies, thinking, content, and practice. In the Indian context few research work and practices are going on in the areas of a sustainable environment, sustainable energy etc. but we need a paradigm shift to create an educational culture and an ecosystem that imply a systematic change in education policy system, in the thinking and practice of every stakeholder linked to the Indian education system. Hence, we have to draw a systematic plan/blue print out of this existing complex and diversified education system and drive it with a holistic vision. as “ triple bottom line” framework is a widely adopted model in other domains of sustainable development goals. “people-planet-profit” (Socio-economic-environmental) would be appropriate to accommodate the complexities and diversities of Indian education system. Thus, the “sustainable Education” based on this framework would imply the basic component i.e., the educational policies and practices to be sustainable and quality-oriented. This would enhance the competencies and motivations of teachers, teacher educators, students, administrators and other stakeholder in the community and enrich the socio-environmental ecosystem of the educational institution to deliver the desired goals and sustainable outcomes as well.

The Conceptual Model of Sustainable Education, which Promotes Interdisciplinary Education

According to this model, the vital components are the three drivers -1. Profit, 2. People, 3. The planet would be like – the first Component The driver is the Ministry of Human Resource Development of Govt. of India. It is the major policymaker decision-taking body and economic resource provider for running the centralized board of education in the country. Hence it is called the ‘Profit.’ The second Driver is ‘People’ engaged in the education sector, the human resources of our school education system. The third Driver is ‘Planet,’ the education set up, a school environment that can be called the “educational ecosystem” to carry on all the teaching-learning activities and educational administrations /transactions. All these three drivers are expected to work together harmoniously to make the education system a sustainable one.

The objective of Driver One (profit) would be “ensuring learning outcomes through the effective curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, and technology”. The focus on Driver Two (people) would be – “Enhancing educational human resource competencies through training and practices”. The objective/focus of Driver Three – (Planet) would be “Strengthening the educational ecosystem through good infrastructure and technology access (Education Environment).

Sustainable Education Goals-

1. Inclusive Education

2. Effective Management

3. Community Development

If we want to achieve a sustainable and inclusive goal we have to adopt this process for making our education system progressive and sustainable.

Why Inclusive and Sustainable Development is Necessary

As we dwell deep into the behavior of societies we realize that it is a state of literacy and the prevailing educational psychology in the society that are primarily important for its development and success. A society behaves depending on the status of education and literacy of its individuals. A society that realizes the importance of schools for its children and has good schools and educational institutions backed by dedicated faculty; is on the right path towards development. To improve the status of education in all the aspects it plays a very crucial role.

Inclusive education is more demanding now a day because it is also a step towards sustainable development. As in Inclusive education, all the kinds of students can get education under the same roof. It also inculcates the value of unity of the Nation. It shows that education is made for all, no one even can lag behind in terms of education.

Conclusion

Interdisciplinary education plays a vital role in the inclusive and sustainable future because it leads a great change in the education field. As Interdisciplinary, education is the study of different subjects by relating each other. Through this kind of teaching-learning process, students can learn very quickly and they start learning by using this technique. It also leads a Holistic development of an individual. Through this interdisciplinary education, an individual can have different kinds of perspectives and attitudes for any problem. Either it may be bookish or in real life. Interdisciplinary education is the best mode of teaching now a day. The Indian education system also supports this motive as it enhances the status of education system of India. Holistic development is skill development, Imparts practical knowledge, Revise the curriculum, Look beyond academics like sports, art, and other activities.