Interdisciplinary teaching: Science (Biodiversity), English (writing advertisements) and History (Greek Philosopher: Aristotle) and Business (Consumer Science)

Biological diversity is a topic most high school biology classes begin with. Biological diversity is often called biodiversity which means the variety of life across the biosphere. During the beginning lessons students learn that biodiversity increases as it gets near the equator. Therefore, in warmer areas one could find more species to survive than in colder areas. The also learn about the treats to biodiversity and the impact of a growing human population, with the loss of habitats and how introduced species can disrupt stable relationships in an ecosystem.

The two sources I found that can enlarge, broaden, and enrich understanding for my students and I, are as followed:

1.Persuasive techniques in advertising Lesson Plan :  http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/persuasive-techniques-advertising-1166.html

This is a lesson plan that teaches students how to create an advertisement.

2. The Art of Rhetoric Video:  http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/video/persuasive-techniques-advertising-1166.html 

This is a video which shows the art of rhetoric linking the theory of Greek philosopher Aristotle to persuasive techniques and advertising.  

3.  University of Chicago Press Journals (2011, May 31). How do creative ads shake up the way we think?. ScienceDaily. Retrieved July 23, 2012, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­/releases/2011/05/110509114025.htm

This article is about the way creative ads shake up the way one thinks. The article says creative stimuli affect the way consumers’ process information. It implies creative advertisement may be effective to those with a less creative mind sets. It also states that marketing strategies should be based on the way one thinks. 

How would I use them?

I would use the first resource (lesson plan) to generate ideas to have student create a printed or electronic advisement. Their advertisement would be on the importance of biodiversity as well as the need to keep our environmental conditions safe from invasive species which destroy biodiversity in particular the San Francisco Estuary.  The second resource (video) would be used to demonstrate the theory Greek Philosopher names Aristotle use three terms to describe strategies which relates to the how one can be persuaded. The third resource (consumer business article) can be used as a motivational tool for students to design their advertisement. It can teach students to be conscious of what creative stimuli can do to consumers. As the article stated it's possible to shake up the way creative people thinks about a product, therefore shaping creative advertisements might be most effective for  those with a less creative mind set. Basically it is best to know you audience when creating an advertisement.  

           

What are the challenges and value of interdisciplinary teaching and learning?

The challenges with interdisciplinary teaching and learning is that one might be more interested in one topic than the other and it may be hard to switch modes of learning. It can also be to many tasks with in a lesson that the main goal of the lesson becomes lost.

As for the value of the interdisciplinary teaching and learning different task within the lesson can help excite or encourage students to complete the lesson. My experiences have taught me if a student does not find  an assignment interesting to do it may be because it does not seem like it is useful to one’s life. For example learning about biodiversity may not seem that valuable however when you learn ways to get students to think about the topic, it may raise additional questions one might not have had before. Its a great way to spark and interest and helps with retention.  

Replied to : getmovingintheclassroom.blogspot.com

Looked at  :mat-smc-mignano.blogspot.com & izumizaki.blogspot.com