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Transdisciplinary learning is something that lives in every part of how we approach education. It influences how we teach, how we plan, and how we assess. It transforms the way we think about learning itself. You cannot simply decide to teach in a transdisciplinary way and expect it to unfold quickly. First, you have to become a transdisciplinary thinker before your learners can truly develop that same lens. This shift requires time, reflection, and a willingness to look for connections in places where others might only see separation.

One foundational piece that continues to guide my thinking is “The Educated Person” by Ernest L. Boyer. His writing shaped the inspiration behind the six transdisciplinary themes in the IB Primary Years Programme. What I love about Boyer’s work is how clearly he identifies the universal themes that weave through our shared human experience. He helps us see how disciplines are not separate silos but rather strands in the same tapestry. His vision supports the kind of thinking that invites learners to explore concepts, make connections, and apply their learning across different areas of life.

If you are just beginning this journey, I encourage you to start there. Let Boyer’s words ground your understanding. Read slowly. Reflect deeply. Notice the moments when his ideas mirror your own experience or challenge you to see things differently. When we start to recognize that the traditional boundaries between subjects are constructs, we begin to unlock something powerful. We stop asking, “Which subject does this belong to?” and begin to wonder, “How does this connect to the bigger picture?”

I have a feeling this space will grow in many directions because the possibilities are so wide. The more I work with transdisciplinary learning, the more I see how it invites creativity, critical thinking, and purpose. When learners start to engage with the world through this lens, their questions deepen and their ownership expands. This is not just about integrating subjects. It is about seeing learning as a whole and I cannot wait to explore that transformation together.

To begin, here is Boyer's article.
the_educated_person_-_el_boyer.pdf
File Size: 165 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


Blogs

Books
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Articles about Transdisciplinary Learning

  • Education of the 21st century: transdisciplinary learning and its advantages
  • Student Value of a Transdisciplinary Approach to Curriculum Development
  • Transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches
  • Teaching About Real-World, Transdisciplinary Problems and Phenomena through Convergence Education

Guides

Podcast
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  • C35 (Intro): Transdisciplinary Learning 101
  • C36 (Challenge): How Transdisciplinary Looks and Feels
  • C37 (Intro): Understanding the Transdisciplinary Theme Descriptors
  • ​C38 (Challenge): Unpacking the Themes in the POI
  • C39 (Intro): Looking at Standards Differently
  • ​C40 (Challenge): Creating Transdisciplinary Connections with Standards
  • C41 (Intro): Connecting with Specialist Teachers
  • C42 (Challenge): Transdisciplinary Learning Across the School
  • ​C43 (Intro): Evaluating Transdisciplinary Learning
  • C44 (Challenge): Performing a SWOT Analysis
  • ​C45: Putting all the Pieces Together​

thinkchat Videos
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Videos
​Transdisciplinary Learning
How to go beyond compartmentalized learning
Transdisciplinary Learning that Transfer
Planning and Implementing Concept-Based Transdisciplinary 

What is transdisciplinary learning to you?

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  • About
  • Connection
    • Blog
    • Book Club
    • Collaboration
    • Leadership
    • Podcast
    • School Culture
    • Shout-Outs
    • Sketch Club
  • Authenticity
    • Action
    • Agency
    • Culture
    • Culturally Responsive Learning
    • Inclusion & Learning Support
    • International-Mindedness
    • Language
    • Learner Profile Attributes
    • Well-Being
  • Responsiveness
    • Approaches to Learning (Skills)
    • Assessment
    • Concepts
    • Concrete Pictorial Abstract (CPA)
    • SOLO Taxonomy
    • Specialist & Supporting Teachers
    • Transdisciplinary Learning
    • Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
  • Exploration
    • Design Thinking
    • Inquiry
    • Learning Spaces
    • Library Spaces
    • Play & Playfulness
    • Technology
    • Traveling Teacher
  • Training
    • Support
    • Workshops
    • Extra
    • dummy