Teaching Social Studies Authentically - 1 views

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  #1 Trevor Gesinghaus on 19 Sep 11

   

  The article, "Teaching Social Studies Authentically", stresses that many teachers of the social studies division are under extreme pressures to meet curriculum expectations for their particular province. In order for students to achieve the required thinking, problem-solving, and communication expectations expressed in the curriculum, author of the article Jamie McKenzie stresses the importance to relate how these skills are used in the real world. McKenzie recommends that teachers follow the teaching philosophy "authentic teaching" developed by Fred Newmanns. The "authentic teaching" philosophy moves away from 'busy work' that focuses on memorizing information like dates and names and having the ability to regurgitate such information, to an approach Newmann calls "authentic intellectual work", that encourages imagination, resourcefulness, and perseverance. According to McKenzie, the "authentic teaching" approach results in higher student productivity.
  Using a technique of role playing, for example as an individual from an organization dealing with global environmental issues, permits the student to learn the required information as well as expand their thinking to possible solutions to global problems. Having student's complete assignments that ask them to provide an action plan for a particular issue is what Newmann refers to as "authentic work products." Assignments such as this move beyond understanding and move toward application of potential solutions, which strengthens problem solving skills and the ability to communicate ideas.
  The following quotation from McKenzie accurately describes the benefits of authentic teaching. "When students are engaged in producing persuasive documents or media presentations, they are demonstrating the capacity to apply what many consider to be 21st century skills to the solution of thorny issues and problems. They are acquiring abilities that will serve them well as adults, and they are doing so in a way that is highly motivating. In some cases, their work will make the world a better place for us all."
  http://fno.org/sept07/soc.html

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">The article, "Teaching Social Studies Authentically", stresses that many teachers of the social studies division are under extreme pressures to meet curriculum expectations for their particular province. In order for students to achieve the required thinking, problem-solving, and communication expectations expressed in the curriculum, author of the article Jamie McKenzie stresses the importance to relate how these skills are used in the real world. McKenzie recommends that teachers follow the teaching philosophy "authentic teaching" developed by Fred Newmanns. The "authentic teaching" philosophy moves away from 'busy work' that focuses on memorizing information like dates and names and having the ability to regurgitate such information, to an approach Newmann calls "authentic intellectual work", that encourages imagination, resourcefulness, and perseverance. According to McKenzie, the "authentic teaching" approach results in higher student productivity. <br /> Using a technique of role playing, for example as an individual from an organization dealing with global environmental issues, permits the student to learn the required information as well as expand their thinking to possible solutions to global problems. Having student's complete assignments that ask them to provide an action plan for a particular issue is what Newmann refers to as "authentic work products." Assignments such as this move beyond understanding and move toward application of potential solutions, which strengthens problem solving skills and the ability to communicate ideas. <br /> The following quotation from McKenzie accurately describes the benefits of authentic teaching. "When students are engaged in producing persuasive documents or media presentations, they are demonstrating the capacity to apply what many consider to be 21st century skills to the solution of thorny issues and problems. They are acquiring abilities that will serve them well as adults, and they are doing so in a way that is highly motivating. In some cases, their work will make the world a better place for us all." <br /> <a href="http://fno.org/sept07/soc.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://fno.org/sept07/soc.html</a></div>

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