In this blog post, we explore whether interdisciplinary education can succeed in fostering creatively convergent talent. Let’s consider the implications and possibilities of this educational transformation.
The need for interdisciplinarity
The integration of the liberal arts and sciences is a process that is inevitable. In today’s rapidly changing global environment, we need creative thinkers who can understand and integrate various fields rather than those who simply excel in one area. In this context, interdisciplinary education seems to be an inevitable evolution.
According to the “2015 Integrated Curriculum for the Humanities and Sciences” released by the Korean Ministry of Education on September 24, 2014, the distinction between the humanities and sciences will be eliminated from 2018, when sixth graders enter high school, and students will learn about “integrated society” and “integrated science. The aim is to help students develop basic skills in humanities, social sciences, and science and technology, so that they can grow into creative and convergent people with humanistic imagination and scientific and technological creativity.
The proposal to integrate the liberal arts and sciences has been sharply contested. Not only those involved in education are interested in the proposal, but also parents, as it is expected to have a major impact on university entrance exams. Even though the change has been announced, there is a precedent of implementing it without thorough preparation and being criticized for many side effects, so it will be necessary to discuss it thoroughly before it is implemented.
The need and background of creative convergence talent
A creative convergence talent is a person who can create new knowledge by combining humanities, imagination, science and technology creativity, and good character, and create new value by fusing various knowledge. In today’s society, technology, humanities, and sociology do not exist as separate academic fields, but are closely connected to each other to create new creative values.
Steve Jobs is a representative figure. He fused humanistic imagination with scientific and technological creativity to grow Apple into a company with great influence in the global market. Jobs’ example shows that in the modern world, it is essential to be able to solve problems by collaborating with experts in various fields, not just technologists and managers. This change needs to be reflected in the education system, and interdisciplinary education is the first step in this direction.
Comparison with other countries
Interdisciplinary education is not unique to Korea. In developed countries such as the United States and Europe, the curriculum is organized so that students can study a variety of disciplines without distinguishing between the arts and sciences. In the U.S., high school students are not divided into liberal arts and sciences, but rather study a common set of basic subjects and then choose specialized subjects based on their career path. This gives students a strong foundation in a wide range of disciplines, and this learning experience can help them get into college and choose a career.
Several countries in Europe have already implemented interdisciplinary education, and the result is a creative, interdisciplinary workforce. Germany, in particular, has a dual education system that allows students to acquire a variety of academic skills alongside vocational training, which has been successful in fostering both creativity and practicality.
Students’ and teachers’ perspectives
Students’ reactions to liberal arts integration vary. Some students appreciate the opportunity to be exposed to a wider range of disciplines by having more subjects to choose from. It can also be a great advantage to be able to experience different fields before deciding on a career path. On the other hand, there are some concerns about the increased study load. With a wider range of subjects, there is the possibility of losing the depth of understanding required in each subject.
On the other hand, teachers have a variety of opinions about the integration of the arts and sciences. While they are excited about the positive changes that integration will bring, they also point out that new teaching methodologies are needed to effectively implement it in the classroom. In particular, when teaching integrated subjects, it is important to develop educational programs and teaching materials that make organic connections between each academic area.
