Designing Integrated Curriculum

The best project based curriculum is usually integrated in order to combine several different subject areas. This makes sense when you consider that project based learning is meant to be authentic and replicate real world problems. Real world problems are not isolated to a specific content area. Solving these types of problems requires a diverse set of skills.

As described in the above video, designing integrated curriculum must be intentional. It takes a great amount of teamwork and planning. As the principal describes, integrated curriculum design does not work well with teachers who prefer to "shut their door" and do everything on their own. In order to make this integrated approach successful in a school, you would need to have "buy in" from all of the teachers involved. I think you can achieve this by building the case of the positives provided by the approach.

I think there are two major benefits for teachers in integrated curriculum design:

In many ways, integrated design is easier on the teachers. Some would argue that designing integrated curriculum is harder because it involves a ton of planning and preparation. I propose that this type of approach is easier in that teachers can work together and help each other. Teachers can share resources and ideas. In the video, Cheryl Hibbein describes this as working smarter instead of working harder.

Integrated design also creates a shared accountability. When teachers work together to design projects, they are all equally invested in the success of their students. Without this type of approach, teachers can feel isolated and "on an island." This type of stress can have a negative effect on instruction and student learning.

If the teachers at a school understand these benefits, I think they will be more likely to "buy in" to the integrated approach and allow the successful implementation of this type of project based learning. In addition to the benefits provided to teachers, there are numerous benefits provided to students through this approach. These include but are not limited to knowledge retention and heightened interest. These benefits should also influence teacher "buy in."