The purpose of this study is to examine how student based interdisciplinarity is achieved in the process of developing and applying Problem-Based Learning(PBL) for scientifically gifted elementary school students, to contemplate an opportunity on subj...
The purpose of this study is to examine how student based interdisciplinarity is achieved in the process of developing and applying Problem-Based Learning(PBL) for scientifically gifted elementary school students, to contemplate an opportunity on subject interdisciplinary PBL.
As the research was conducted following the planning procedure and the applying procedure, research questions are set as followings.
Planning Procedure: What is an appropriate theme for the Science and Music interdisciplinary PBL for scientifically gifted elementary school students and how should it designed?
Applying Procedure: In what aspect does the student-based interdisciplinary integration occur in each stage of PBL?
1. In what aspect does the student-based interdisciplinary integration occur in 'Confronting a Problem' stage?
2. In what aspect does the student-based interdisciplinary integration occur in 'Establishing plan to Solve the Problem' stage?
3. In what aspect does the student-based interdisciplinary integration occur in 'Exploring for Information' stage?
4. In what aspect does the student-based interdisciplinary integration occur in 'Devising a Solution' stage?
5. In what aspect does the student-based interdisciplinary integration occur in 'Presentation and Evaluation' stage?
To accomplish the purpose of this study, the result of this study is broadly divided into two. First is the development of PBL on the theme about 'Sound' in Science and Music subject areas. Second is the analysis of the students' actual reaction while implementing the student-based subject interdisciplinary integration to students.
By developing an interdisciplinary PBL, it was to give a practical guide to the instructors of Gifted Education when reorganizing an interdisciplinary PBL curriculum based on the students' level and interest. Therefore Science and Music interdisciplinary problem was developed and interdisciplinary teaching and learning processes were presented, following the PBL Designing Process.
A newly developed unit was designed on the theme of 'Sound'. This unit applied the concept and method of both Science and Music in an interdisciplinary approach. Following the PBL planning process, a unit 'Concert with Nature' was developed, with the consultation and verification by Gifted Education specialists and PBL specialists.
The study took place in Gifted Education Center affiliated with E University in the Sudae-Moon area with a total of 20 elementary 5th and 6th grade student participants. A qualitative study involving participant observation of 12 sessions of Science class was conducted in this study.
Resources such as lesson observations, students interviews, teacher journals, lesson worksheets, and lesson plans were analyzed and the data was analyzed focusing on the 'Students' Participation' engaged in PBL.
The perspective of interdisciplinary integration was not narrowed within the knowledge and information given in the content, but was broadened to include how they investigate the content and how students connect it with their real life.
Through implementing a developed PBL to the scientifically gifted elementary students and inspecting the reaction, the analysis of how interdisciplinary integration worked out can be summarized as presented below.
First, at the 'Confronting a Problem' stage, students comprehended the problem and defined the problem. Students comprehended and connected the knowledge of Science and Music with their past experience related to the problem, and utilized the daily life experience while defining the problem.
Second, at the 'Establishing a Plan to Solve the Problem' stage, students systematically approached the problem by carefully planning the solution. Through various discussions about the content and method, they designed a plan to solve the problem by themselves. They already had a lot of Scientific knowledge on 'What we know'. On 'What we want to know', students tried to investigate various contents and methods of Science along with the knowledge and data of Music using interdisciplinary methods and activities
Third, at the 'Exploring for Information' stage, students acquired interdisciplinary knowledge and data of various subject areas by the 'Exploring Activity' to solve the problem. At this stage students' Scientific knowledge and information were integrated with the Musical activity and Musical knowledge and information were integrated with Science investigational process. Moreover students investigated the interdisciplinary knowledge and information using the engineering and technological method which were applicable in both subjects. At this stage students planned the problem solving process and made decisions to solve the problem and executed the plan by themselves, as problem solvers. More than in any other stages, students concretized the Science and Music interdisciplinary knowledge and data, and eagerly carried out activities integrating Science investigation and Musical activity.
Fourth, at the 'Devising a Solution' stage, students conceived a solution using all the investigated knowledge, data and methods. Students consistently discussed with their teammates about how to realize the 'Harmony' which was an important factor in problem solving. In this process students added new ideas in interdisciplinary knowledge, data, and methods. They connected it with real-life contexts and integrated the problem situation and various data together.
Fifth, through the activities in the 'Presentation and Evaluation' stage, students not only compared and contrasted the solutions they came up with, but divergently expanded the learning experience of PBL. As the students explained and shared their solution, they integrated and utilized the Scientific and Musical knowledge. As the students discussed how to utilize their solution, students expanded and integrated the various real-life situation based on new ideas.
From these results, the following conclusions were drawn.
First, Students comprehended the problem with their past experience and utilized the daily life experience while defining the problem. In exploring stage, students acquired interdisciplinary knowledge of various subject areas by the exploring activity to solve the problem. At this stege, knowledge, information, method exhibited various aspects of interdisciplinary integration. Based on various subject interdisciplinary resource investigation. In the devising a Solution stage, students added new ideas in interdisciplinary knowledge, data, and methods. They connected it with real-life contexts and integrated the problem situation and various data together. they integrated and utilized the Scientific and Musical knowledge. As the students discussed how to utilize their solution, students expanded and integrated the various real-life situation.
Second, practical problems provided to the students in PBL made the students understand the problem by integrating their past experience and real life contexts. The problem solving process made the students explore and utilize the interdisciplinary knowledge and data. Students were able to realize that integrating and utilizing knowledge are necessary in real problem solving and PBL makes it achievable in real life.
Third, PBL sets roles as problem solvers to students and provides an opportunity to integrate, with an interdisciplinary approach, various academic fields while solving problems through self-directed learning. Therefore, students foster an interdisciplinary perspective of knowledge by integrating not only knowledge, but their real life experiences and enhance applicability of problem solving in real life.
These findings are expected to make a contribution in improving students' creative problem solving skills and interdisciplinary thinking skills by developing and applying interdisciplinary PBL in the actual Gifted Education field.