Increasing students’ cognitive interest through the integration of disciplines

Abstract

One of the main features of the updated educational content introduced into the general education system of the Republic of Kazakhstan is the improvement of pedagogical skills of teachers in the use of "interdisciplinary topics" in the classroom. The organization of interdisciplinary communication, in turn, increases the interest in the subject and activates the student’s critical thinking. With the skillful use of interdisciplinary connections, it contributes to the formation of all the functions of teaching: the system of scientific knowledge, generalized cognitive skills, broad cognitive interests, students’ worldviews. Implementation of interdisciplinary connections allows students to see the integrity of the image of the world, a clear understanding of the objectives of education. Therefore, in the article we have considered ways to use interdisciplinary connections in order to increase the cognitive interest of students in Physics lessons, in particular, the use of historical data in Physics lessons. Ways to solve the problem of increasing interest in physics through interdisciplinary communication, taking into account international and domestic experience. According to our research topic, we have analyzed the possibilities of developing students’ cognitive interest in the process of teaching the subject “Methods of teaching Physics” in the educational program 6B01502 – “Physics Teacher Training”. A plan of seminar topics on “Discovery of interdisciplinary links between Physics and History” was prepared, an experimental examination was conducted, quantitative and qualitative differences between control and experimental classes were identified. According to the results of experimental work, an increase in the level of students’ knowledge through the use of interdisciplinary connections in Physics and History was identified during the lesson.