云探校·课程特色篇 | 超学科探究

The transdisciplinary unit builds a curriculum framework with six transdisciplinary themes. It focuses on the common issues of human beings and covers culture, ecology, politics, economy, technology and other fields. It builds a connection between children and the real world through collaborative inquiry. Inquiry-driven learning integrates perspectives and ways of thinking across all disciplines, making each subject a vehicle for in-depth exploration.

Transdisciplinary inquiry sets six weeks as a cycle. During this time, learning revolves around the central idea and the lines of inquiry. Children experiences a complete inquiry cycle from tuning in, finding out, sorting out, going further, making conclusions to taking action. The cycle of inquiry builds connections between children, people, facts, images, representations, knowledge, concepts and actions. Children explore the impact of technology on society and the environment through scientific elements such as force and machinery. They use knowledge learned from culture, society and history to explore the inextricable links between individuals and civilizations from a holistic perspective. The children explore the characteristics and functions of new media as well as clarify the responsibilities of digital citizens...

In the tuning in stage, teachers will ignite the children's interest in the subject of inquiry through brainstorming and other methods. They will encourage the students to ask their own questions. In the finding out stage, children will use books, magazines, the Internet, libraries, interviews, and other channels to collect relevant images, text, and data to communicate, share, and organize the information through group collaboration. In the sorting and making conclusions stage, the children will discuss and form a preliminary point of view, as well as try to answer the driving questions. In the taking action stage, the children will provide practical solutions to specific problems through design, production, presentation, speech, and debate. At the end of this cycle, they will also reflect on the entire unit of inquiry and organize all that they’ve learned and achieved.

The transdisciplinary inquiry cycle provides children with a learning process of constructing meaning and revising this meaning through their own understanding. In this cycle, the children's five skills (thinking, research, communication, social, and self-management skills) are continuously sharpened and refined. Each discipline provides support for Transdisciplinary inquiry in terms of knowledge, skills, and conceptual understanding according to the current needs of the subjects of inquiry.

Transdisciplinary inquiry is not only reflected in the exchanges and discussions in the classroom, but also extends to a wider time and space. The classroom environment will be arranged according to the transdisciplinary theme in order to create a real inquiry experience. The teachers and students will craft the Transdisciplinary cycle display board to create a visual exploration atmosphere. For public spaces such as corridors and libraries, the teachers also set out books related to the Transdisciplinary theme and display interactive materials, enrichment supplies, and resources for further exploration.

In the student-led conference, children share their Transdisciplinary cycle with their parents. In class assemblies, they present their exploration experiences in the form of speeches, performances, and singing. In the inquiry exhibition, they use fluent explanations, scientific experiments and exquisite works to present their study results for guests inside and outside the school. By presenting their learning achievement through various activities, the children are encouraged to actively explore, think positively, and express creatively, which continuously stimulates the children's  initiative in learning.

Transdisciplinary inquiry also focuses on the children's social wellbeing in their community, organization, etc. The school will hold expert lectures and parent lectures related to the topic of inquiry so that children can learn about cutting-edge research. Through these lectures, the children step outside of the classroom and experience the applications of the topic of inquiry in real-world society. Various practical activities also broaden children's horizons and provide a holistic, balanced, comprehensive and coherent educational experience.

Transdisciplinary inquiry goes beyond the disciplinary field. It connects the vast real world to cultivate internal motivation and develop unlimited potential within every student.