Professor Carl Gombrich on Interdisciplinary Learning and Nurturing Curiosity
Jun 5, 2024
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Join Carl Gombrich, Dean at the London Interdisciplinary School and an expert in educational innovation, as he shares his journey from UCL to pioneering interdisciplinary education. He discusses how traditional educational structures can limit real-world problem-solving. Gombrich explores the importance of practical learning experiences, such as internships, and highlights the transformative power of the performing arts in education. He also examines the role of AI and immersive technologies in enhancing interdisciplinary learning, preparing students for the future.
Professor Carl Gombrich emphasizes the necessity of interdisciplinary education to tackle complex real-world problems like sustainability and AI ethics.
The curriculum at the London Interdisciplinary School prioritizes practical experience through community engagement, connecting students with real-world projects and valuable skills.
Deep dives
The Illiteracy Crisis and Its Impact
Over 40 million American adults struggle with functional illiteracy, reading at or below a fifth-grade level, which raises significant concerns about educational equity. The challenge is particularly pronounced for children from low-income families, who may hear 30 million fewer words than those from more affluent backgrounds, severely impacting their vocabulary development and academic performance. This disparity highlights the urgent need for engaging educational resources that bridge this gap and foster a love for reading and language. Implementing evidence-based, joyful, and creative educational strategies can inspire persistence and skill development in children, fundamentally transforming how they learn.
The Case for Interdisciplinary Learning
Interdisciplinary learning is increasingly vital for addressing complex, real-world problems such as sustainability, migration, and AI ethics. Traditional disciplinary structures in education often inhibit thorough multidisciplinary understanding, creating a disconnect between academic training and the demands of contemporary society. By integrating various disciplines, students are better equipped to tackle these challenges, as they can draw on diverse methods and perspectives to find innovative solutions. The need for an education system that transcends rigid academic silos is becoming more pronounced as the internet facilitates access to cross-disciplinary knowledge.
Curriculum Structure and Student Experience
At the London Interdisciplinary School, the curriculum is designed around real-world problems, focusing on both the issues and the methods needed to address them, such as data science and ethnography. In the first year, students partake in compulsory modules that foster an understanding of inequality and sustainability while also developing rigorous methodological skills. This blend not only emphasizes academic learning but also prepares students to apply their knowledge effectively in practical situations. The curriculum builds towards greater student autonomy, allowing individuals to pursue their own projects by the third year, combining both qualitative and quantitative methods.
The Role of Community Engagement and Real-World Application
Connecting students with real-world projects and community partners is central to the educational philosophy at the London Interdisciplinary School. By engaging students in client-connected initiatives, they learn valuable skills while making meaningful contributions to their communities. The institution's approach emphasizes that education should extend beyond theoretical knowledge to include practical applications, reinforcing skills that employers find valuable. This hands-on experience not only aids in students’ professional development but also prepares them to contribute positively to society while pursuing their passions.
This episode of the Getting Smart Podcast is sponsored by Mrs. Wordsmith, learn more at mrswordsmith.com
On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark is joined by Dr. Carl Gombrich, the Dean at the London Interdisciplinary School (LIS), to discuss his transition from University College London (UCL) to LIS, motivated by a desire for educational innovation.
Throughout the conversation, Dr. Gombrich shared his experience of fostering interdisciplinary education at UCL and his subsequent decision to establish a new institution dedicated to this approach. He explained that traditional educational structures often inhibit interdisciplinary learning, as they are organized around distinct disciplines that do not reflect the interconnected nature of real-world problems.
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