Teaching Through Music-The Curriculum for Excellence and Interdisciplinary Learning

This study analyses Education Scotland’s (ES) policy and development of Interdisciplinary Learning (IDL) and its translation into practice through the Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) framework. ES’s 2020 report highlighted IDL as a way for young people to gain knowledge or skills, develop conceptual understanding and apply this to new problems and learning. Whilst ES (2020, p. 2) recognises that their IDL policy and subsequent implementation has not become habitual learning in all Scottish schools, they have not issued guidance for educators to translate policy into practice. The CfE framework currently lacks a cohesive approach, with minimal link between the eight curricular disciplines and IDL (Harvie, 2020). The research explores the interpretation and translation of IDL in practice and the impact of young people’s education. Evidence from Beldaro et al. (2017) indicates an inconsistent approach to IDL. To address this gap and investigate approaches to the interpretation of IDL, an action research project was designed, analysing music as a tool for young people’s engagement and attainment within the CfE Broad General Education (BGE) framework. Using identity and memory as key concepts, activities were created for young people to explore a topic and learn new knowledge. The action research supported the development of a “Teaching Through” approach, highlighting improved engagement and attainment within individual discipline areas. An online share space was created (www.teachmethroughmusic) and a webinar series delivered to encourage educators to share good practice and further explore the use of IDL in the curriculum. The study concludes that the Teaching Through approach can e an effective way of implementing IDL, translating policy into practice using IDL as a vehicle for the learner to achieve the outcomes set out in the Es and Os (ES, 2009). This provides opportunity to support all abilities through the BGE levelling system

 

 

Claire McIntosh is music specialist, educator and researcher based in Aberdeen, with over 11 years teaching experience. Claire has completed 2 Masters Degrees and a PhD in Music Education, analysing the use of music as a tool for engagement within interdisciplinary projects, as part of the Curriculum for Excellence. Claire is currently studying for an MSc in Applied Neuroscience to further enhance her understanding of the impact of music on the brain of the learner