S3 Interdisciplinary Learning

Course Overview

All pupils in S3 will get one period each week of "Interdisciplinary learning (IDL). Pupils will take part in project-based learning which will use knowledge and skills from across different curricular areas. This will give pupils the opportunity to develop skills which will support them with naitonal qualifications and life beyond school.

Learning and Teaching Approaches

Pupils will be required to work individually and with others on projects to answer big questions throughout the year. To answer these big questions, pupils will have to research; present data; take action and come to conclusions. 

The projects and big questions will be linked to current affairs and issues which may affect our local community. Pupils will be able to link these projects to the United Nation’s “Global Goals for Sustainable Development”. 

   Each project will include a “Driving question” which will be focus    of     that topic. Driving questions include: 

• How can I use my STEM skills to design a simple solution to support people in developing countries? 

• How can I successfully market fairtrade rice to provide an income for a Malawian farmer? 

• How can I take action to make a difference in my local community? 

Homework

Homework will be issued on a regular basis throughout the year. This will most likely involve research and gathering opinions.

Assessment Approaches

Assessment will be based on pupils sharing the outcomes of their project. This could be in the form of presenting to the class/small groups; making poster presentations; making videos or websites.

Progression

This course aims to support pupils with many of the skills they will use in National 4/5 courses across the curriculum and life beyond school.