Course-5 Understanding Disciplines and School Subjects pmd

Characteristics of Multidisciplinary learning
Most characteristics of interdisciplinary learning will be found in multidisciplinary
learning as well.
1.
Multidisciplinary learning gives the learner varied perspectives of the topic.
Different disciplines contribute towards enriched learning. For example if the
topic being learned is ‘Water’ , the learner gets an idea about the chemical
composition and properties of water from Science, whereas Geography will
throw light on distribution of water over the Earth, sources of water.
2.
Content matter gathered from different disciplines may retain their distinct
identities but will help the learner get a more comprehensive view of the topic
of study.
3.
Multidisciplinary learning may not be integrative in its approach. Each
discipline retains its own uniqueness in multidisciplinary learning. While the
topic is examined through the lens of different subjects, there is no conscious
effort to merge these perspectives or integrate these views.
Difference between Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Learning
The multidisciplinary learning differs from interdisciplinary learning in the following
ways.
In interdisciplinary learning, the selection of disciplines and their insights is
purposefully done with the end product clearly in view whereas in multidisciplinary learning,
disciplines need not be chosen purposefully.
In multidisciplinary learning, the contribution of each discipline remains unique
whereas in interdisciplinary learning there is a complete blend of thoughts and thus the
disciplinary insights got from each discipline merge into each other.
Interdisciplinary learning focuses on more collaboration and interactions between
disciplines as compared to multidisciplinary learning.
Multidisciplinary learning highlights learning of topics from diverse disciplines; while
interdisciplinary learning is based on a mixture of diverse disciplines to solve a problem.
While interdisciplinary approach may involve one teacher dealing with the content,
multidisciplinary learning will involve different experts from various disciplines.
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Multidisciplinary learning is represented in the figure
alongside where insights from two disciplines A and B are consulted
but there is no integration.
Interdisciplinary learning is represented alongside where
insights from two disciplines A and B are integrated to construct a
more comprehensive meaning.