Interlinking-Based Teaching: A Study on the Development of the Interlinking Index Framework
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Published
Apr 24, 2026
Abstract
In interlinking-based teaching, designing and implementing instructional content and practices based on interlinking has become a necessity for solving real-life problems and understanding various phenomena encountered in daily life. However, the lack of comprehensive models that guide interlinking-based instructional processes constitutes a significant gap in the literature. In this context, the present study aims to develop an analysis tool that can guide the development, implementation, and evaluation of interlinking-based instructional content. To this end, a comprehensive literature review was conducted, and the collected data were analyzed through content analysis by two researchers. The inter-coder reliability was calculated as 89%. Subsequently, an “interlinking index” was developed and submitted for expert review. Based on the feedback received from the experts, the index was revised and finalized. The resulting “analysis index” consists of 17 items grouped under four main dimensions, providing guidance for the development, implementation, and evaluation of interlinking-based instructional content. It is expected that this study will contribute to the dissemination and effective use of interlinking-based instructional activities.
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Keywords
Interlinking Based Learning, Intradisciplinary, Multidisciplinary, Interdisciplinary, Transdisciplinary
Supporting Agencies
No funding sources declared.
References
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Arastaman, G., Öztürk Fidan, İ. & Fidan, T. (2018). Validity and reliability in qualitative research: a theoretical analysis. YYU Journal of Education Faculty, 15(1), 37-75. http://dx.doi.org/10.23891/efdyyu.2018.61
Atkinson-Toal, A. (2024). Student value of a transdisciplinary approach to curriculum development. Journal of Marketing Education, 1-17. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/02734753241288182
Azkarate, A., Esparta, J., Enekotegi, I., Yarritu-Guinea, M., Bodes, R., Lasa, A., Arnedo, N., Bustamante, M., Txurruka, I. & Miranda, J. (2025). Evaluation of an interdisciplinary collaborative learning activity between university and vocational education and training students for sustainability competence development. Inted2025 Proceedings, 4029-4034. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21125/inted.2025.1024
Choi, B. C., & Pak, A. W. (2006). Multidisciplinarity, interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity in health research, services, education and policy: 1. Definitions, objectives, and evidence of effectiveness. Clinical & Investigative Medicine, 29(6), 351-364.
Danermark, B. (2019). Applied interdisciplinary research: a critical realist perspective. Journal of Critical Realism, 18(4), 368-382, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14767430.2019.1644983
Drake, S.M. & Burns, R.C. (2004) Meeting Standards Through Integrated Curriculum. Association for Supervisionand Curriculum Development.
English, L. D. & Mousoulides, N. (2015). Bridging STEM in a real-world problem. Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School, 20(9), 532–539.
Fogarty, R. (1991). Ten ways to integrate curriculum. Educational Leadership, 49(2), 61-65.
Fogarty, R. J., & Pete, B. M. (2009). How to integrate the curricula. Corwin Press.
Gillis, D., Nelson, J., Driscoll, B., Hodgins, K., Fraser, E., & Jacobs, S. (2017). Interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research and education in Canada: A review and suggested framework. Collected Essays on Learning and Teaching, 10, 203-222. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.22329/celt.v10i0.4745
Gortmaker, S. L., Cheung, L. W., Peterson, K. E., Chomitz, G., Cradle, J. H., Dart, H., Fox, M. K., Bullock, R. B., Sobol, M. A., Colditz, G., Field, A. E. & Laird, N. (1999). Impact of a school-based interdisciplinary intervention on diet and physical activity among urban primary school children: eat well and keep moving. Archives Of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 153(9), 975-983. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.153.9.975
Guba, E. G., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2001). Guidelines and checklist for constructivist (a.k.a. fourth generation) evaluation. https://study.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/guba_and_lincoln_-_2001.pdf
Helmane, I. & Briška, I. (2017). What is developing ıntegrated or ınterdisciplinary or multidisciplinary or transdisciplinary education in school?. Journal of Pedagogy and Psychology Signum Temporis, 9(1), 7–15. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/sigtem-2017-0010
Hursh, B., Haas, P., & Moore, M. (1983). An interdisciplinary model to implement general education. Journal of Higher Education, 54 (1), 42–49.
Jacobs, H. H. (1989). Interdisciplinary curriculum: Design and implementation. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 1250 N. Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.
Jantsch, E. (1972). Inter-and transdisciplinary university: A systems approach to education and innovation. Higher Education, 1(1), 7-37.
Jones, C. (2010). Interdisciplinary approach-advantages, disadvantages, and the future benefits of interdisciplinary studies. Essai, 7(1), 26.
Kaufman, D., Moss, D. M., & Osborn, T. A. (Eds.). (2003). Beyond the boundaries: A transdisciplinary approach to learning and teaching. Greenwood Publishing Group.
Klein, J. (2006). A platform for a shared discourse of interdisciplinary education. JSSE-Journal of Social Science Education, 5 (4), 10-18.
Kramer, P., Ideishi, R. I., Kearney, P. J., Cohen, M. E., Ames, J. O., Shea, G. B., Schemm, R., & Blumberg, P. (2007). Achieving curricular themes through learner-centered teaching. Occupational Therapy in Health Care, 21(1/2), 185–198. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1300/J003v21n01_14
Kröplin, J., Maier, L., Lenz, J. H., & Romeike, B. (2024). Knowledge transfer and networking upon implementation of a transdisciplinary digital health curriculum in a unique digital health training culture: prospective analysis. JMIR Medical Education, 10, e51389.
Lattuca, L. (2003). Creating interdisciplinarity: Grounded definitions from the college and university faculty. History of Intellectual culture, 3(1), 1-20.
Ling, Y., Zhou, L., Zhang, B., & Ren, H. (2024). Developing middle school students’ problem-solving ability through interdisciplinary project-based learning. Education for Chemical Engineers, 46, 43-53. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ece.2023.11.001
Liu, J., Liu, F., Zhang, F., Fang, J., Li, C. & Liu, S. (2024). Multidisciplinary-based design of a nursing informatics curriculum. In Innovation in Applied Nursing Informatics (129-133). IOS Press
Malakar, D. & Zeliang, L. (2024). A step towards sustainable development: multidisciplinary approach in curriculum. The Academic, 10 (2). 315-325. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14102413
Malik, A. S. & Malik, R. H. (2011). Twelve tips for developing an integrated curriculum, Medical Teacher, 33 (2), 99-104. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2010.507711
Mård, N. & Hilli, C. (2022). Towards a didactic model for multidisciplinary teaching - a didactic analysis of multidisciplinary cases in Finnish primary schools, Journal of Curriculum Studies, 54(2), 243-258, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00220272.2020.1827044
MEB. (2024). Türkiye century education model: Curricula common text. T.C. Ministry of Na tional Education. Available at: https://tymm.meb.gov.tr/ortak-metin
Moore, T. J. & Smith, K. A. (2014). Advancing the state of the art of STEM integration. Journal of STEM Education: Innovations and Research, 15(1), 5-10.
Newell, W. H. (1990). Interdisciplinary curriculum development. Issues in Integrative Studies, 8, 69–86.
Nicolescu, B. (1999). The transdisciplinary evolution of learning. In Symposium on Overcoming the Underdevelopment of Learning at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Montreal, Canada.
Odum, E.P. & Barret, G.W. (2008). Fundamentals of ecology. (K. Işık, Trans.; 2nd ed.). Ankara: Palme Publishing.
Olvitt, L., Davies, M., Ebrahim, A. I. & Cockburn, J. (2024). Transdisciplinary curriculum design for sustainability transitions: A reflective dialogue. South African Journal of Science, 120(9/10), 1-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2024/17884
Omar, Z. & Otaka, Y. (2025). Design and implementation of a community-based rehabilitation curriculum for training multidisciplinary rehabilitation teams to serve people aging with disabilities. Fujita Medical Journal, 11 (1), 1-10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.20407/fmj.2023-019
Pohl, C. & Hadorn, G. H. (2008). Core terms in transdisciplinary research. Handbook Of Transdisciplinary Research, 427-432.
Robledo, D. A. R. & Roleda, L. S. (2024). Power of microbes: utilization of improvised microbial fuel cell (IMFC) as an interdisciplinary learning activity in teaching bioelectricity. Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education, 25(1), 1-11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.00146-23
Schneider, S., Wertli, M. M., Henzi, A., Hebeisen, M. & Brunner, F. (2024). Effect of an interdisciplinary inpatient program for patients with complex regional pain syndrome in reducing disease activity—a single-center prospective cohort study. Pain Medicine, 25(7), 459-467. https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnae021
Sherren, K. (2005). Balancing the disciplines: a multidisciplinary perspective on sustainability curriculum content. Australian Journal of Environmental Education, 21. 97-106. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0814062600000987
Smith, J. & Karr-Kidwell, P. (2000). The interdisciplinary curriculum: A literary review and a manual for administrators and teachers. Retrieved from ERIC database. (ED443172).
Verma, S. K. & Verma, R. K. (2024). The role of transdisciplinary education in addressing complex societal issues. International Journal of Web of Multidisciplinary Studies, 1(1), 33-39.
Wilcox, B. & Kueffer, C. (2008). Transdisciplinarity in EcoHealth: status and future prospects. EcoHealth, 5(1), 1-3.
Yıldırım, A. & Şimşek, H. (2016). Qualitative research methods for the social sciences (10.Baskı). Seckin Publishing.
Aktan, C. C. (2009). Change ın hıgher educatıon: global trends and new paradigms. Journal of Organization and Management Sciences, 1(2), 39-48.
Arastaman, G., Öztürk Fidan, İ. & Fidan, T. (2018). Validity and reliability in qualitative research: a theoretical analysis. YYU Journal of Education Faculty, 15(1), 37-75. http://dx.doi.org/10.23891/efdyyu.2018.61
Atkinson-Toal, A. (2024). Student value of a transdisciplinary approach to curriculum development. Journal of Marketing Education, 1-17. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/02734753241288182
Azkarate, A., Esparta, J., Enekotegi, I., Yarritu-Guinea, M., Bodes, R., Lasa, A., Arnedo, N., Bustamante, M., Txurruka, I. & Miranda, J. (2025). Evaluation of an interdisciplinary collaborative learning activity between university and vocational education and training students for sustainability competence development. Inted2025 Proceedings, 4029-4034. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21125/inted.2025.1024
Choi, B. C., & Pak, A. W. (2006). Multidisciplinarity, interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity in health research, services, education and policy: 1. Definitions, objectives, and evidence of effectiveness. Clinical & Investigative Medicine, 29(6), 351-364.
Danermark, B. (2019). Applied interdisciplinary research: a critical realist perspective. Journal of Critical Realism, 18(4), 368-382, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14767430.2019.1644983
Drake, S.M. & Burns, R.C. (2004) Meeting Standards Through Integrated Curriculum. Association for Supervisionand Curriculum Development.
English, L. D. & Mousoulides, N. (2015). Bridging STEM in a real-world problem. Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School, 20(9), 532–539.
Fogarty, R. (1991). Ten ways to integrate curriculum. Educational Leadership, 49(2), 61-65.
Fogarty, R. J., & Pete, B. M. (2009). How to integrate the curricula. Corwin Press.
Gillis, D., Nelson, J., Driscoll, B., Hodgins, K., Fraser, E., & Jacobs, S. (2017). Interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research and education in Canada: A review and suggested framework. Collected Essays on Learning and Teaching, 10, 203-222. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.22329/celt.v10i0.4745
Gortmaker, S. L., Cheung, L. W., Peterson, K. E., Chomitz, G., Cradle, J. H., Dart, H., Fox, M. K., Bullock, R. B., Sobol, M. A., Colditz, G., Field, A. E. & Laird, N. (1999). Impact of a school-based interdisciplinary intervention on diet and physical activity among urban primary school children: eat well and keep moving. Archives Of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 153(9), 975-983. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.153.9.975
Guba, E. G., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2001). Guidelines and checklist for constructivist (a.k.a. fourth generation) evaluation. https://study.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/guba_and_lincoln_-_2001.pdf
Helmane, I. & Briška, I. (2017). What is developing ıntegrated or ınterdisciplinary or multidisciplinary or transdisciplinary education in school?. Journal of Pedagogy and Psychology Signum Temporis, 9(1), 7–15. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/sigtem-2017-0010
Hursh, B., Haas, P., & Moore, M. (1983). An interdisciplinary model to implement general education. Journal of Higher Education, 54 (1), 42–49.
Jacobs, H. H. (1989). Interdisciplinary curriculum: Design and implementation. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 1250 N. Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.
Jantsch, E. (1972). Inter-and transdisciplinary university: A systems approach to education and innovation. Higher Education, 1(1), 7-37.
Jones, C. (2010). Interdisciplinary approach-advantages, disadvantages, and the future benefits of interdisciplinary studies. Essai, 7(1), 26.
Kaufman, D., Moss, D. M., & Osborn, T. A. (Eds.). (2003). Beyond the boundaries: A transdisciplinary approach to learning and teaching. Greenwood Publishing Group.
Klein, J. (2006). A platform for a shared discourse of interdisciplinary education. JSSE-Journal of Social Science Education, 5 (4), 10-18.
Kramer, P., Ideishi, R. I., Kearney, P. J., Cohen, M. E., Ames, J. O., Shea, G. B., Schemm, R., & Blumberg, P. (2007). Achieving curricular themes through learner-centered teaching. Occupational Therapy in Health Care, 21(1/2), 185–198. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1300/J003v21n01_14
Kröplin, J., Maier, L., Lenz, J. H., & Romeike, B. (2024). Knowledge transfer and networking upon implementation of a transdisciplinary digital health curriculum in a unique digital health training culture: prospective analysis. JMIR Medical Education, 10, e51389.
Lattuca, L. (2003). Creating interdisciplinarity: Grounded definitions from the college and university faculty. History of Intellectual culture, 3(1), 1-20.
Ling, Y., Zhou, L., Zhang, B., & Ren, H. (2024). Developing middle school students’ problem-solving ability through interdisciplinary project-based learning. Education for Chemical Engineers, 46, 43-53. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ece.2023.11.001
Liu, J., Liu, F., Zhang, F., Fang, J., Li, C. & Liu, S. (2024). Multidisciplinary-based design of a nursing informatics curriculum. In Innovation in Applied Nursing Informatics (129-133). IOS Press
Malakar, D. & Zeliang, L. (2024). A step towards sustainable development: multidisciplinary approach in curriculum. The Academic, 10 (2). 315-325. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14102413
Malik, A. S. & Malik, R. H. (2011). Twelve tips for developing an integrated curriculum, Medical Teacher, 33 (2), 99-104. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2010.507711
Mård, N. & Hilli, C. (2022). Towards a didactic model for multidisciplinary teaching - a didactic analysis of multidisciplinary cases in Finnish primary schools, Journal of Curriculum Studies, 54(2), 243-258, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00220272.2020.1827044
MEB. (2024). Türkiye century education model: Curricula common text. T.C. Ministry of Na tional Education. Available at: https://tymm.meb.gov.tr/ortak-metin
Moore, T. J. & Smith, K. A. (2014). Advancing the state of the art of STEM integration. Journal of STEM Education: Innovations and Research, 15(1), 5-10.
Newell, W. H. (1990). Interdisciplinary curriculum development. Issues in Integrative Studies, 8, 69–86.
Nicolescu, B. (1999). The transdisciplinary evolution of learning. In Symposium on Overcoming the Underdevelopment of Learning at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Montreal, Canada.
Odum, E.P. & Barret, G.W. (2008). Fundamentals of ecology. (K. Işık, Trans.; 2nd ed.). Ankara: Palme Publishing.
Olvitt, L., Davies, M., Ebrahim, A. I. & Cockburn, J. (2024). Transdisciplinary curriculum design for sustainability transitions: A reflective dialogue. South African Journal of Science, 120(9/10), 1-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2024/17884
Omar, Z. & Otaka, Y. (2025). Design and implementation of a community-based rehabilitation curriculum for training multidisciplinary rehabilitation teams to serve people aging with disabilities. Fujita Medical Journal, 11 (1), 1-10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.20407/fmj.2023-019
Pohl, C. & Hadorn, G. H. (2008). Core terms in transdisciplinary research. Handbook Of Transdisciplinary Research, 427-432.
Robledo, D. A. R. & Roleda, L. S. (2024). Power of microbes: utilization of improvised microbial fuel cell (IMFC) as an interdisciplinary learning activity in teaching bioelectricity. Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education, 25(1), 1-11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.00146-23
Schneider, S., Wertli, M. M., Henzi, A., Hebeisen, M. & Brunner, F. (2024). Effect of an interdisciplinary inpatient program for patients with complex regional pain syndrome in reducing disease activity—a single-center prospective cohort study. Pain Medicine, 25(7), 459-467. https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnae021
Sherren, K. (2005). Balancing the disciplines: a multidisciplinary perspective on sustainability curriculum content. Australian Journal of Environmental Education, 21. 97-106. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0814062600000987
Smith, J. & Karr-Kidwell, P. (2000). The interdisciplinary curriculum: A literary review and a manual for administrators and teachers. Retrieved from ERIC database. (ED443172).
Verma, S. K. & Verma, R. K. (2024). The role of transdisciplinary education in addressing complex societal issues. International Journal of Web of Multidisciplinary Studies, 1(1), 33-39.
Wilcox, B. & Kueffer, C. (2008). Transdisciplinarity in EcoHealth: status and future prospects. EcoHealth, 5(1), 1-3.
Yıldırım, A. & Şimşek, H. (2016). Qualitative research methods for the social sciences (10.Baskı). Seckin Publishing.
How to Cite
Bozkurt, S., & Ozdemir, O. (2026). Interlinking-Based Teaching: A Study on the Development of the Interlinking Index Framework. Science Insights Education Frontiers, 33(2), 5345–5364. https://doi.org/10.15354/sief.26.or193
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