Hello to All;
Now that we have gotten the opportunity to get to know a little bit about each other; let’s start with a video that introduces what the concept of “interdisciplinary” studies is about and how the integration of more than one discipline can be used to find solutions to issues.
Assignment:
1. Please watch these 2 short videos discussing the concept of Interdisciplinary and integration.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_p-IwifaqVE
http://youtu.be/QuwGFIIekyE
2. Answer questions the
following questions: (1-2 paragraphs)
a. What is the definition of integration. Give examples of what would be integration.
b. In what ways does your majors and minor integrate?
c. If not, how can you better integrate your areas/minor?
3. Find a news article that describes a current issue or problem. Explain how an interdisciplinary approach could be used to find a solution to the issue. (1-2 paragraphs)
(Please post the link to the news article so other students may be able to view it)
4. Give a response to at least one other post.
We look forward to reading your posts and answering any questions you may have.
This assignment will be due on the blog by Thursday, February 16th.
Have a great week,
Victoria, Heather, Susanne, Rachel, Rikesh,
Nichele, Edison , and Kristin
Integration is incorporating two separate, but equal ideas or disciplines to be utilized as a whole. Examples of integration are when public schools desegregated to allow black and white children to study in the same school. Another example is when a surgeon and an anesthesiologist work together, having different duties, but for the same result of a successful surgery and healthy patient. My areas of study are art, biomedical science with a minor in health science. In my biomedical classes I learn all about how the human body works, the anatomy and physiology of it. The health science and administration classes teach me about how the healthcare system is run and how to work in that environment. Ultimately, these areas of study prepare me to move on to a graduate school to be a dietitian. I wish I could integrate my art focus more into my health science goals, but if anything, I learn to look at things in different perspectives.
ReplyDeleteI forgot since I already had a blog, it's under a screen name. Signed Cristina Albert
DeleteHi Grilledcheese,
DeleteIf you truly think about it, there are ways of integrating art into your chosen fields of focus. Since you're in art, I will make the presumption that you are creativity and imaginative.Working with patients, residents, or clients, depending where you're working, requires a creativity mind most of the time to aid in patient compliance. On several different occasions during my clinical rotations in long term care, I came across two or more residents who refused to eat what was given to them. When questioned about their refusal, the most common answer was the presentation of the food ("looks like kids food"- referring to blend food for stroke victims or choking victims). I made a simple modification for one resident, chocolate syrup decoratively drizzled on top of carrot puree (a gourmet look). She ate some not all her food, but the point is that you can incorporate your talents in any chosen field.
Great post Grilledcheese! I like you examples of integration, and it seems as if you have a good understanding of integration as well as interdisciplinary studies already. You have chosen interesting majors, and I have also considered going on to become a dietician. I think that having art as one of your areas of focus will help you out a lot in your career. I feel that with that focus you will be able to be more creative, which is useful in any job, but it could be especially useful when you are trying to teach someone how to eat properly. Also, the human body is a piece of art, so it may help you to better understand everything and explain it if you look at it as artwork. Interdisciplinary studies is not about limiting yourself to traditional education, but rather it is about going past disciplinary limits and combing disciplines, so I think that you will do great.
DeleteHeather Wilson and K. Leonard,
DeleteThank you for your input on how to integrate more of my art major with my health-related focuses. As far as dietitian, using creative alterations to difficult patients(like K. Leonard's chocolate drizzle idea) would become useful in that field. I could incorporate my love of cooking into the dietitian role and present the patient's food in the "foodie art" ways I like to sculpt my own meals. Point being, that your opinions have sparked a new perspective to the way I look at my art focus. It is no longer the black sheep among the science concentrations. Thanks!
What is the definition of integration. Give examples of what would be integration
ReplyDeleteIntegration is the deliberate methodological process of organizing, combining, and collaborating related or unrelated subject matters to form a whole. Sociobiology can be used as an example of two separate disciplines integrating to form a new field. In combing these two fields, the world of sociology will integrate with the study of living organisms. The sociological aspect of the field will try to understand living organisms’ environment and how interactions are conducted among the organisms within a giving society or community. From the biological perspective, organisms will be the predominate focus, analyzing these living life forms from molecular make-up to whole organs and functions. For instance, the Amazon can be of great importance to this new field when trying to understand how creatures communicate, live, survive, die, and populate within that particular environment.
Kerline Leonard
In what ways does your majors and minor integrate?
ReplyDeleteCentrally, my major areas of concentration, and minors all integrate to promote the optimal functionality of mind, body, and soul or to put more simply the “whole person.” My areas of concentrations are Health Science and Life and Biomedical Science. These two areas focus on health or health promoting concepts, theories, and perspectives required when working with individuals suffering from debilitating conditions (acute or chronic). To further understand the chronic illnesses affecting a certain population, I supplemented my knowledge with a minor in Gerontology. The effects of chronic ailments impair the aging population differently than other age groups. It is of common knowledge that as we age our immune system will begin to reduce in optimum proficiency; thereby, agreeing with the postulation of many research studies, the longer we live, the more chronic ailments we will endure. To understand how society may or may not contribute to the cause of health or illness, I added an additional minor. My second minor is in Medical Sociology, which explains the cause and consequences of diseases in society.
Kerline Leonard
Great post Kerline I am quite impressed with your understanding of integration as well as your goals. The purpose of interdisciplinary studies is for one to able to move past certain disciplinary limits and be able to having a fuller more well rounded understanding of everything and therefor be more successful. This is something that you seem to have a good handle on, which i believe will help you to be very successful. I really like you definition of integration, you did an excellent job at explaining it. Having a good understanding of interdisciplinary studies as well as integration will help you out in school as well as when you start your career.
DeleteLike Heather said, it is evident you understand the meaning of integration. I find it interesting that you minored in Gerontology. I don't hear many people studying or working in that specific area but more people should. We have a greater population of people over 65 than we did 40 years ago so our health care system has some shortages. Like you said, the older we are the more chronic ailments we suffer, which of course require medical attention and medication. Even though everyone in the U.S. who has a job is taxed for Medicare, there still is not enough coverage since today our workforce population is less than the over 65 and retired population. With your background in Biomedical, Health science, Gerontology and Medical Sociology you will make a great asset to the medical community.
DeleteHi Kerline, I find your majors and minors to be really interesting. I am also highly interested in the sciences and focusing on Life/Biomedical Sciences. I would have liked to focus on other areas of the sciences as well, but unfortunately my previous choices of courses have not allowed me to go that route. I also find the question you pose about Gerontology to be very intriguing, that being whether or not society contributes to health or illness. Best of luck to you in mastering and learning about all the sciences. I feel that your areas of concentration can be very easily integrated and are perfect for your career goals.
Delete-Randi Owen
Kerline,
DeleteI too am majoring in Life/Biomedical Sciences, also Physical Science(s). My minor is in Health Sciences; all very similar to your studies. It is refreshing to hear your take on integration between these subjects. I look forward to taking my knowledge of Life and Physical Sciences and integrating them with the actual CARE of individuals, as a healthcare provider. To understand the cause and effect of someone's personal lifestyle to their health status is remarkable!
Natalie
I really like the way you explained the integration of your areas of focus and minors. I too am focusing in Life & Biomedical science and, instead of Health Science like you, my second area is Physical Science. I chose these two for similar reasons you gave for the integration of your two areas of focus. In my post I didn't quite explain it as well as you did. I really like your explanation of the integration of your majors and minors, very well put!
DeleteSpayne
The term integration refers to the combing or meshing of two or more things into one whole. In interdisciplinary studies integration is the combining of disciplines. Integrating disciplines breaks down the traditional borders of the disciplines. Integration allows you to combine parts to create an even better whole. I think a good example of this is lemonade. Lemonade is created by integrating water, sugar, and lemon juice together. These three parts combine to make a different substance all together. This example goes to show that combining different areas can produce excellent results that may even be better than just focusing on one area.
ReplyDelete-Randi Owen
Hello Randi,
DeleteI thought your example of Lemonade was excellent and descriptive. Another way to think of that would be like a lemon expert (farmer) coming to with a culinary expert to combine their knowledge to make a unique and delicious lemonade. I would agree that integration also for traditional borders of disciplines to be broken down –Own). I think many professions/professionals get caught in narrow thinking or direction. Integration allows for thinking outside the box, which usually comes from team work or brainstorming. I have seen some creative projects done through teamwork and brainstorming.
-Ashley Vanzant
My areas of concentration are Communications and Life/Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Entrepreneurship. I feel that my three areas of focus do not integrate as well as many other peoples’ majors and minors, but they still do integrate in some way. Communications is integrated into almost every field and in all areas of society. Building my communication skills will help me pursue my career as a veterinarian because you need to be able to communicate what is going on to the owners. Also learning about entrepreneurship will help me to learn practical business skills for when I hopefully am able to start my own practice. I feel my interdisciplinary studies degree will well prepare me for my future career.
ReplyDelete-Randi Owen
Great post Randi! you seem to have a really good understanding of interdisciplinary studies already, so you are going to do very well in this course. I really liked you example of interdisciplinary studies and integration you should your knowledge of interdisciplinary studies. I feel that you areas of focus and your minor could be integrated very well, because like you said all jobs need good communication skill, and also like you mentioned the entrepreneurship will help you to be a good business man. It is about moving past disciplinary limits to achieve your goal
DeleteWhat is the definition of integration? Give an example of integration
ReplyDeleteThe definition of integration is mixing two or more subjects together to work as one subject. An example of integration can be a fruit smoothie. Smoothies contain different ingredients such as different fruits, milk, sugar etc… but yet they all come together to make one delicious drink. Another example is a salad, many people just don’t eat lettuce by itself, if you put different vegetables and dressing on it more people will eat it.
-Erica Vazquez
In what ways do your majors and minor integrate?
ReplyDeleteMy two major fields of concentration are Health and Commerce and a minor in fitness training. I would have to say that my minor of fitness training and major in health certainly integrate. They both work together because I will know how train the body to be fit but I will also know how to keep the body healthy in other aspects. The commerce major will give me the knowledge I need to start my own business when I am ready to. They may integrate as well as other people’s disciplines, but it hopefully it will work with what I want to do.
-Erica Vazquez
It definitely seems like you have given a lot of thought as to how your areas of study will complement each other. I wish now that I would have chosen a minor that more closely related to the major areas of study in which I am involved. When you graduate you will be so much better prepared to care for people in whatever field you decide to pursue having the training in both fitness training and health. It's also very easy to see the benefit that your commerce area of study will give you if you're trying to open your own business after you graduate.
DeleteBest of Luck,
Travis Burnett
Good Post Erica! You two areas of focus will work great together. I feel that the two combined will give you the upper hand on things , and give you a great overall understanding of how the body works as well as the best way to train it. Good examples of integration. I feel that you will really enjoy this course and you will continue to learn how to better integrate you areas of focus as well as you minor. As you mentioned in your post if you ever want to open you own business having the commerce area will help you out a lot. Like you have been learning the point of interdisciplinary studies is to move past disciplinary limits to gain a better understanding.
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ReplyDeleteIntegration, in its broadest definition, is bringing together at least two things that are different into a collective body. It can be seen in several different examples. One of these would be how colored and white schools were eventually integrated. Two separate races were combined into one student body. Within the spectrum of this class integration would be more related to taking different areas of study and combining the skills from each area to solve a complex problem.
ReplyDeleteMy majors integrate because both are involved in the realm of the sciences. Physical science encompasses a wide range of topics including chemistry, and health science utilizes the advancing knowledge in chemistry to better understand the human body. My minor is in music, and it is not directly integrated with my majors. However, there are examples where people have used music as a form of therapy to produce overall well-being in patients. In this way my music minor and health science major are somewhat integrated.
-Travis Burnett
Thanks Travis! I believe the soundscape ecology we studied a few weeks ago was a great integration of music and sciences! The scientists used his science knowledge to establish the organisms of each sound, but had to integrate music theories to learn about the calls and patterns of the different landscapes. Also, a well-studied inegration of music and science is learning whale and dolphin languages. It has been said that there songs and sounds are actually words in their languages. Analysis of such sounds has led a greater understanding of the species. I like your integration of music and health science in terms of patient care, that can also be integration of psychology. Have you studied any psychology in your coursework?
DeleteThanks, Bethany Moore
Good example of integration Travis. I think that you are correct about you minor of music being useful. You find that integration and interdisciplinary is not about seperate disciplines, but rather about moving past disciplines. So I think that having a music minor will be very useful for you.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe article I found was from the CNN website by Laura Allsop. In the article she discusses the trouble that Italy is facing due to the record amount of snow that they country, along with the rest of Europe, is experiencing. She states that the snow has caused pieces of the Colosseum to actually chip away and that official have closed the Colosseum due to the risk of injury from the crumbling debris. Several problems arise from this multifactorial issue. The first is that this centuries old monument to the grandeur of the Roman Empire is deteriorating. Another issue is that with the closing of the Colosseum temporarily, Rome is losing approximately 7,000 visitors per day paying 12 euro to get in. That's quite a lot of money to be losing.
ReplyDeleteAn interdisciplinary approach is absolutely the answer to resolve this problem. The different areas of study that can contribute to solving this problem include architecture, physical science (meteorology and chemistry), hospitality and economics just to name a few. While the Colosseum is closed, architects need to come up with solutions about refortifying the structure while chemists and meteorologists shed better understanding of the actual physical processes going on that are destroying the building. Moguls in the hospitality business and economists, meanwhile, need to figure out alternative means of tourism revenue until the Colosseum can once again open her doors.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/15/world/europe/italy-snow-damage-colosseum-monuments/index.html?iref=allsearch
Thanks Travis. This is a great article to look at integration, and how it affects so many different things. I think an interdisciplinary perspective could have prevented this if experts had look at the Colosseum prior to this. This reminds me of the Metrodome in Minnesota. The collapse from all the snow on the roof after the harsh winter damaged property, delayed games, and really made people have to rethink construction of such domes. The dome was built with a heater to melt snow on the roof, but that was no match for the blizzards that year. Perspectives from engineers, economists, meterologists, architects, and owners could aid in preventing another such event.
DeleteBethany Moore
thank you so much for this example it was excellent. It is great that you already have such a good understanding of interdisciplinary. you are going to do great in this class.
DeleteIntegration is the mixing and subsequent unifying of different ideas or areas. An example of this is the restaurant industry, whereby employees must integrate food and safety knowledge to a hospitality avenue. One must try to please a guest while still maintaining the standards of health, so being aware of both and integrating them allows for a successful restaurant. Integration is important in several different arenas (professional, academic, personal), because it aids in viewing the entire scope of an issue when one can view an issue from several different perspectives. When analyzing these different perspectives, integration allows for a solution/approach that satisfies all viewpoints.
ReplyDeleteMy science background (biology and chemistry) is necessary for admission into a dental school, but the health science minor has allowed me apply my background to a patient/health perspective. This integration has allowed me a more realistic view that encompasses the full spectrum of an issue. Better integration will result once I begin dental school, and can then relate all my undergraduate work to a specialty. While the specialty will narrow my perspective in one respect, the integration of my previous interdisciplinarity will allow for better results.
Currently, there are discussion about whether employer’s insurance should provide birth control to its employees. Religious affiliated groups are trying to be freed from such a mandate in place, and they are trying to allow private employers to be freed as well. Ultimately, this could take away a women’s ability to get birth control if she works for a company that chooses to be freed from the mandate. Integration of different perspectives could aid this issue immensely. The different perspectives are never going to agree, but integration could allow from some form a middle ground. Unfortunately, this is an issue that is reflective of a much bigger problem in the country. Whether it is called “religious liberty” or “separation of church and state” this is a problem that is not going anywhere any time soon. Integration would have to address the bigger problems, beyond just birth control, in order to fully grasp the issue.
http://neighbors.denverpost.com/viewtopic.php?p=2346640
Thanks, Bethany Moore
Great Post Bethany! you show that you have a good understanding of integration as well as interdisciplinary. i really liked your example of a restaurant, because it is so true. Also, I work in a restaurant, so I am a little sympathetic to it. But, you have a great post, and I am sure that you will do well in this class.
DeleteGreat example to illustrate the use of integration and understanding. I wish you the best in your career plans .
DeleteIntegration is when you combine two or more groups/subjects together in order to come up with a solution to one problem/issue. An example of integration is an activity by companies that specialize in bringing different manufacturers products together into a smooth working system. Sprint and Nextel is one company that integrated together; the two companies together are more valuable than two seperate companies. My major field of concentration is biological sciences with a minor in business. my two areas of concentration seem like they done fit together; but I feel like I have integrated them. I want to become a dentist, so all of my science requirements in order to get into dental school will be meet under my biological sciences concentration. my business minor will help me to understand my finances, and learn how to budget when I open my own practice one day. All in all, my two areas of concentration integrate well together, and will prepare me for my future.
ReplyDelete-Shatori Brockington
Shatori,
DeleteSounds like you have integrated your areas of study quite well. Another benefit to the business side of things, is understanding your patients financial restrictions, which could improve your patient satisfaction. Most dentists don't understand that just because a patient may 'need' dental procedures, the same patients may not have the spare money to throw down at once. Good luck.
Natalie
Natlie, you are exactly right! and I want to be that dentist who can understand and work with my patients. Thats why when I do start to practice I want my practice to be in a rural area, so that I can help out the less fortunate. I know that life gets tough with bills on top of bills. but I'am willing to work out payments plans because I'm going to care about my patients and the condition of their teeth and gums. It will be more than a business, it will almost be like a second home to me and my patients.
Delete-Shatori Brockington
Integration is an action or instance of combining two(or more) parts into an integral whole. An example of integration would be a Freshman college student joining the University environment/mixture of students. My Majors/Minor, when combined, integrate health care and the understanding of human well-being. This results in the ability to care for others with a knowledge of physical/emotional/social/etc needs. Honestly, the Majors/Minor I am studying work exceptionally well together to prepare me for my future career goals. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteNatalie
An News article from Orlando Sentinel talks about Florida's graduation rate and how it is continuing to drop. There is a new way of determining if students will graduate; which may be tough for some students who only earn a standard 4-year diploma. It does not account for students with disabilities who earn special diplomas or students who transfer from adult education programs. The new rates show that the federal rule will impact some districts more than others. This does not seem fair; and I think that special diplomas should be included as well. gradution requirements for a diploma are continuing to move up; when a few years ago it just meant that you had basic academic skills. The problem now seems to be that some students just aren't ready to graduate because they dont have the intellectual ability. Some strategies could include connecting the curiculum in an efficient way to help teach the students, and active and passive learning. Learnig by association has always helped me. Graduting from high school is a stimulating experience, and I believe that the teachers and school board should do all that they can to see everyone graduate.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/education/os-high-school-graduation-florida-20120215,0,4800233.story
Working in the schools I found out how common it is for children to be homeless. It will truly break your heart. “How Many Children Are Homeless in America” is an article that discusses how prevalent child homelessness is. A child’s health, education, and mental well being are affected by being homeless. With such a serious problem only the integration of several disciplines can attack and find a solution. No one profession can solve this issue. Only with teamwork and brainstorming from different prospective and professions can a complete effective solution develop.
ReplyDeletehttp://cflhomeless.wordpress.com/2010/03/31/how-many-children-are-homeless-in-america/
- Ashloey Vanzantoo
Hello Ashley:
DeleteHomelessness is such a deep issue on many levels. I not only think of the children in this situation, but I think of the parents and the feelings they must be experiencing like failure, fear, hopelessness, and low self-esteem. Children are very intuitive when it comes to what their parents are feeling and experiencing. They may take on a false sense of responsibility that they need to make it all better. Integrating health care, counseling, education for new job skills, and many other areas helps a family to maintain their emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual health while finding a solution to their homelessness. It gives them a feeling of empowerment that they can do this and are capable of overcoming the situation.
Integration is combing two or more parts together to become a whole. The first thing that comes to mind when I think of examples of integration is racial integration, where blacks and whites were joined together in schools. Fruit smoothies also comes to mind when thinking of integration. Different fruits are combined together to create one single smoothie. My majors and minors (Life & Biomedical Science, Physical Science, and Biology) are all integrated together to cover all aspects of science, since science is such a general topic.
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