A study of interdisciplinary teaching and its possible implementation in Malta

Abstract

This dissertation aims to research the extent to which interdisciplinary teaching is being practised in local state secondary schools and whether there is any possibility of its implementation as a matter of policy. The first section of this work will discuss the concept of interdisciplinary teaching, together with its advantages and constraints. Three research tools were used: interviews, questionnaires and lessons, to evaluate opinions and attitudes towards interdisciplinary teaching and whether there is any chance of its implementation. The results of the analysis carried out suggest that policy makers and administrators are in favour of cross curricular teaching. However, opinions vary when it comes to implementing it as a matter of policy. Teachers are in favour of adopting an interdisciplinary approach to teaching. Most of them are already carrying out interdisciplinary lessons I activities and agree to its implementation; however they feel that the Maltese Educational System is working against interdisciplinary teaching in various ways. On the other hand, the analysis of the students' questionnaires reveals that students would like to try new learning methods but they seem afraid of change and of lack of comprehension. The analysis of the lessons reveals that students both enjoyed and fully understood all that was being said and done. This shows that their worries are a result of preconceived ideas.