Amity Amsterdam’s Approach to International Education: Our Interdisciplinary Curriculum in Senior School

In today's highly connected world, global learning is crucial in education. Learning today transcends borders, promoting understanding, respect, and collaboration among different cultures and countries. At Amity Amsterdam, this idea isn't just discussed – it's fully integrated into every aspect of our learning.

We incorporate the concept of global learning into all facets of our school, aiming not only to educate our students but also to nurture their ability to thrive in an international setting. Our interdisciplinary curriculum plays a vital role in ensuring that our students are ready to succeed and make a positive impact in a globalised society.

In this blog, we'll take a closer look at how our interdisciplinary curriculum develops our Senior School students' global competence.

IB & Interdisciplinary Curriculum

As an accredited International Baccalaureate® (IB) school, we are dedicated to equipping our students with the skills necessary to tackle not only the challenges of today but also those of the future.

The IB is designed to foster critical thinking skills such as analysis, inference, communication, and problem-solving. Interdisciplinary learning involves integrating skills and knowledge from multiple disciplines to explore complex issues. At Amity Amsterdam, we embody the interdisciplinary approach and encourage our students to connect across various subjects, developing a holistic understanding of the world.

MYP Students Make Connections and Transfer Their Knowledge

Our Middle Years Programme (MYP) curriculum promotes a holistic approach to teaching and learning, where students see the connections between subjects and real-world issues. This helps them understand the world as an interconnected system, enhancing their global awareness.

Our students tackle eight core subjects, taught with a focus on inquiry and through the lens of key and related concepts that emphasise deeper learning in specific disciplines. They begin to make connections, identify patterns, and synthesise information more fluently. This enhances their ability to transfer their understanding from one context to another across disciplines, bringing authenticity and purpose to learning.

For instance, when our MYP4 students explore "The Impact of Climate Change on Ecosystems", three key concepts can be sustainability, relationships, and systems. Related concepts may include balance, development, and transformation.

Our MYP4 students discuss the biological consequences of climate change on ecosystems in their Biology lessons, focusing on real-world examples like coral bleaching and how rising sea temperatures affect ecosystems. They then transfer this knowledge to Geography, exploring how different geographical regions are impacted by climate change. They analyse the interaction between geographical factors, such as coastal development and environmental degradation

In addition, students discuss how human activities, such as industrialisation, contribute to climate change and how marine tourism can affect the degradation of the Great Barrier Reef. Through this process, they learn to synthesise interdisciplinary perspectives.

We believe that the IB's interdisciplinary approach encourages students to engage with real-world issues like climate change from multiple perspectives. It fosters deeper learning by integrating areas such as science, geography, and economics.

Moreover, the interdisciplinary approach enhances collaboration and communication skills. As students discuss the importance of their subjects in various real-life contexts, present their perspectives, and work on projects together, they learn to communicate effectively, negotiate differences, and find common ground. These activities exemplify how our students address real-world environmental challenges through diverse cultural perspectives and ethical discussions, preparing them for a globally connected future.

 

Conclusion

Amity Amsterdam Senior School's MYP embodies a holistic approach to education with global competence at its core. We encourage students to explore diverse perspectives, transfer their knowledge across various real-life contexts, and understand the interconnectedness of our world. This emphasis on global awareness and responsibility helps students develop essential communication and collaboration skills. At Amity International School Amsterdam, our students are prepared to become global citizens, thriving in an interconnected and diverse global community.