Teaching Social Studies Authentically - 1 views

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  #1 natashamaris on 07 Nov 11

   

  This article talks about using Fred Newmann's concept of "authentic teaching" in the classroom. Doing 'authentic work' is working for a purpose, not just a grade. Making important decisions is a good way to get students to think critically. This article discusses how taking students out of school to businesses, agencies, conducting interviews, and using sources outside of textbooks and the internet get students to become more passionate about what they are learning. If they can relate what they are learning in school to real world examples, then they are more likely to put more effort into their work. Examples in this article range from how this strategy can be used in important decisions of today as well as how this strategy can be used with historic application.
  
  For example, hunger is a social issue of today. Instead of researching the topic, students would have the opportunity to visit a local foodbank and meet with the staff. Interviews could be conducted and a real inside view on the local communities social issues can be more beneficial than teaching this information traditionally. Students are immersed in the issue and can create a deep and meaningful connection with the information they are receiving.
  
  Information gathered from today's time period can still assist in making a deep and meaningful connection with the past. for example, it is believed that Louis XVI was brought down in part by hunger and starvation. If students are instructed to advise the king about whether or not he should increase taxation, then they can draw from their real world experience at the food bank to understand how big a problem hunger and poverty are.

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">This article talks about using Fred Newmann's concept of "authentic teaching" in the classroom. Doing 'authentic work' is working for a purpose, not just a grade. Making important decisions is a good way to get students to think critically. This article discusses how taking students out of school to businesses, agencies, conducting interviews, and using sources outside of textbooks and the internet get students to become more passionate about what they are learning. If they can relate what they are learning in school to real world examples, then they are more likely to put more effort into their work. Examples in this article range from how this strategy can be used in important decisions of today as well as how this strategy can be used with historic application. <br /> <br /> For example, hunger is a social issue of today. Instead of researching the topic, students would have the opportunity to visit a local foodbank and meet with the staff. Interviews could be conducted and a real inside view on the local communities social issues can be more beneficial than teaching this information traditionally. Students are immersed in the issue and can create a deep and meaningful connection with the information they are receiving. <br /> <br /> Information gathered from today's time period can still assist in making a deep and meaningful connection with the past. for example, it is believed that Louis XVI was brought down in part by hunger and starvation. If students are instructed to advise the king about whether or not he should increase taxation, then they can draw from their real world experience at the food bank to understand how big a problem hunger and poverty are.</div>

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