Interdisciplinary co-teaching in higher education: Comparing results from music-drama and music-physics partnerships in Sweden and Ireland

Abstract

Few studies exist on the impact of interdisciplinary co-teaching in Higher Music Education. The aim of the present study is to compare and analyse the findings from two pioneer interdisciplinary co-teaching studies involving music/drama and music/physics co-teaching partnerships, conducted independently in Sweden and Ireland. Elements of Vygotskian scholarship informed the theoretical framework and a reflexive and thematic analytic methodology was employed. Four themes emerged similar to those from interdisciplinary scholarship in diverse disciplines. These include: a heightened awareness of subject synergies, problem solving as a catalyst for creativity, new/deeper insights into collaboration and expanded professional identity. In conclusion, didactical implications are addressed, related to potential challenges.