The impact of the arts on interdisciplinary learning

Interdisciplinary learning is not a new concept, but is now needed in education more than ever as our economic, social, and cultural environments develop at accelerating speed. Interdisciplinary thinkers such as Albert Einstein and Leonardo Da Vinci saw no boundaries between subjects. Without the restrictions of subject boundaries, they found a unique way of looking at the world, and in doing so had a significant impact on how the world was viewed.

To have new thoughts in any field of research relies on being able to see things differently, to challenge knowledge, and to test supposed fictions in search of truth with fearless curiosity. It should be our prerogative to nurture independent, interdisciplinary thinking in our children so that they might grow to tackle problems with imagination and confidence.

The arts provide the perfect platform for interdisciplinary learning from a young age, not only breaking down boundaries but providing children and teachers with a toolkit for developing creative, critical and lateral thought. Integrating the arts throughout the curriculum is a particularly effective method of raising standards, developing self-esteem and encouraging innovative thinking.

In Canada, the Learning Through the Arts® programme pioneered by The Royal Conservatory equips teachers with the skills to teach through the arts, in the process breaking down subject boundaries and bringing to life core-curriculum subjects for school children. A three year Queen’s University study concluded that students taking part in the programme scored an average of 11 percentile points higher in maths than their peers.

We should be creating opportunities for individual interdisciplinary thought from the outset in our schools, if we are to give the next generation the freedom to be innovative. Using the arts to spark this lifelong discovery can only have a positive impact for our children; as Professor Robin Alexander says “taught with rigour and flair, the arts don’t only enrich children’s minds and lives; the arts engage the disengaged and raise educational standards.”

This is an extract from blog post by Artis Chief Executive Rebecca Boyle Suh (Buzz) published in the Huffington post. Click here to read the full version.