FOSTERING CRITICAL THINKING AND CREATIVITY THROUGH INTERDISCIPLINARY TEACHING IN THE 21ST CENTURY CLASSROOM
Synopsis
This article examines how interdisciplinary teaching approaches in secondary education can foster critical thinking and creativity—essential skills for 21st century success. Despite the inherently compartmentalized structure of most secondary schools, with their separate departments and specialized teachers, interdisciplinary methods offer powerful opportunities to develop adolescents' sophisticated reasoning abilities. The paper analyses structural barriers specific to secondary settings and provides concrete implementation models including interdisciplinary teams, integrated core courses, and problem-based learning units. It explores how these approaches enhance critical thinking through epistemological analysis, complexity management, and knowledge transfer while stimulating creativity through conceptual blending and divergent problem-solving. The article presents assessment strategies appropriate for interdisciplinary learning and offers practical solutions for overcoming institutional constraints. Case studies of successful implementation demonstrate how secondary educators can create connected learning experiences that prepare students for the integrated challenges they will face in higher education and beyond.
