MYP IDU Guidance
A comprehensive guide to the MYP interdisciplinary Unit (IDU) guidance.
MYP IDU Guidance
Understanding Interdisciplinary Teaching and Learning in the IB MYP
Interdisciplinary teaching and learning in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) is designed to help students make meaningful connections across disciplines. This approach nurtures critical thinking, collaboration, and real-world application of knowledge — core skills for 21st-century learners.
In the MYP, Interdisciplinary Units (IDUs) may involve subjects from the same or different IB subject groups, allowing students to investigate complex questions or issues that cannot be understood from a single disciplinary perspective. These interdisciplinary learning experiences promote inquiry and empower students to synthesize and apply their knowledge creatively.
MYP Interdisciplinary Assessment Criteria and IDU Framework
To accurately evaluate student understanding in MYP Interdisciplinary Units, the IB has introduced a dedicated set of three assessment criteria — uniquely tailored to reflect the interdisciplinary learning process. These criteria focus on the integration of knowledge, development of inquiry skills, and the demonstration of holistic understanding. Each criterion is marked out of 8, leading to a total of 24 marks per IDU.
Notably, subject-specific criteria are no longer applied within interdisciplinary assessments. While subject criteria may still be used optionally during discipline-based learning, they are not used in determining the final achievement level of an IDU. This ensures a consistent focus on the interdisciplinary learning process, rather than fragmented subject performance.
Planning, Structuring, and Supporting Interdisciplinary Units in the MYP
The IB provides extensive guidance on how to collaboratively plan and structure IDUs in the MYP. Schools are encouraged to co-develop units that either run concurrently (preferred) or non-concurrently, depending on timetables and teaching schedules. The goal is to design a learning experience where disciplines genuinely interact and reinforce each other around a central conceptual understanding.
The MYP Interdisciplinary Teaching Guide includes:
- Editable IDU unit planner templates
- Examples of high-quality IDU designs
- Tools for evaluating and improving existing unit plans
- Guidelines on cross-disciplinary collaboration and reflection
At IB Tutorrific, we support MYP educators and coordinators in implementing effective IDUs by offering training resources, sample unit planners, and consulting services aligned with the latest IB documentation.
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