Interdisciplinary teaching is a method of instruction which is used to teach a unit across different curricular disciplines. Engaging in the practise of interdisciplinary instruction academics are better able to connect various strands of learning to enhance individual knowledge. Similar to interdisciplinary teaching the social studies curriculum relies heavily on the connection of thoughts and ideas to past and present society in order to gain a more thorough understanding of the twenty first century world. The benefits of this form of instruction allows learners to create, recognize and understand connections amongst different schools of thought and units of study. In addition, this method of instruction expands the scope of knowledge and information which students can investigate enhancing student interest. Student knowledge is not limited but instead challenged to explore, discover and expand.
The interdisciplinary approach of instruction proves to have an abundant number of academic benefits for both the educator and student. This instructional strategy allows academics to study an issue from a wider perspective as well creates a connection amongst various concepts of study increasing student awareness and knowledge. The social studies curriculum investigates and deconstructs numerous issues and topics which can be connected to various units of study. When educators inspire students to identify these connections they have a greater chance of academic prosperity as these issues become relevant to their every day lives. The incorporation of interdisciplinary method of instruction would prove significant academic benefits as the wider investigation of knowledge expands academics understanding of self and society.
This instructional video Integrated Curriculum discusses the importance of developing an integrated curriculum within an academic classroom. The video defines an integrated curriculum "as one that connects different areas of study by cutting across subject-matter lines and emphasizing unifying concepts. Integration focuses on making connections for students, allowing them to engage in relevant, meaningful activities that can be connected to real life". When educators allow students to make connections in an integrated classroom their level of engagement significantly heightens. "Integration helps to achieve retention and engagement in classrooms, which yields higher mastery of content standards". 
The face of the twenty first century classroom has undergone significant transformation the method and retention of knowledge has greatly altered. Educators must be willing to adapt their practises in order to better satisfy the academic needs of students. In class, my colleagues and I focused on how the topic of the Olympics, specifically deconstructing various issues countries undergo when hosting, could be studied from different curricular approaches. For example my group focused on creating activities based on the social studies curriculum, we developed numerous inquiry based questions which challenged academics to think critically, whereas another group focused on developing an activity taken from the mathematics curriculum. Developing activities with different curricular objectives that fall under the same inquiry increased my perspective on the academic benefits which follow when introducing an interdisciplinary approach. As a twenty first century educator I foresee myself including interdisciplinary approaches of instruction as I feel academics would undergo significant academic benefits.
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