1-Unit-III.-What-is-new-in-Social-Studies

Unit III: WHAT IS "NEW" SOCIAL STUDIES?

Innovation

• Definition: Innovation is the process of improving or creating something new, which can be a technology, idea, or procedure.

• Common Usage: The term 'innovation' is frequently used, often without clear definition.

  • Innovation involves making changes or approaching tasks differently, not necessarily through invention.

  • It incorporates creativity and adaptability (Thompson, 2022).

Innovation in Education

• Definition: Innovation in education lacks a specific definition but emphasizes a fresh perspective on solving problems and improving methods of knowledge transfer.

• Characteristics:

  • Openness to new approaches and willingness to recognize existing limitations in answers.

  • Innovative teaching strategies are critical for effective knowledge transfer.

Examples of Educational Innovation

• Flipped Classroom: Students watch lectures at home and complete assignments in class, enhancing engagement and applying concepts actively.

• Blended Classroom: Integrating more technology into learning environments, mirroring real-world technological applications.

• Improved Communication Tools: Utilizing powerful video tools to enhance communication between school districts and parents.

Conceptual Approach

• Objective: Aimed at facilitating student understanding of concepts and promoting beneficial cognitive habits necessary for conceptual learning.

• Methodology:

  • Teaching content through discovery of laws, principles, and generalizations governing a subject.

  • Concentrates on big ideas rather than rote content memorization to enhance understanding.

Characteristics of the Conceptual Approach

• Focus: Emphasis on cognitive learning and understanding principles within a discipline.

• Research and Data: Often involves collecting data through research to foster investigative learning.

• Flexibility in Teaching: The approach is not bound to a specific teaching method but rather a perspective on handling facts and topics.

Conceptual Scheme

• Definition: A conceptual scheme provides a framework to relate major concepts and principles within a discipline.

• Components:

  • Hierarchical organization from facts to conceptual schemes.

  • Includes terms, concepts, principles, and generalization interrelated logically.

Examples of Hierarchical Cognition

• Term: Fact - A simple statement of truth (e.g., "Ice melts, water freezes.")

• Concept: A synthesis of related facts (e.g., Ice, water, wax are types of matter).

• Generalization: Connection between concepts (e.g., "All matter undergoes physical change").

• Principle: Fundamental statement applicable generally (e.g., Conservation in physical change).

Emphasizing Conceptual Understanding

• Limitation of Rote Learning: Traditional teaching often leads to superficial understanding by stressing memorization of isolated facts.

• Integration of Ideas: Conceptual understanding correlates facts, concepts, and values meaningfully, facilitating easier recall and deeper comprehension.

Role of the Teacher in the Conceptual Approach

• Guidance over Direct Instruction: Teachers should not immediately provide principles but guide students to discover them.

• Data Gathering: Help students collect relevant data leading to generalizations, from facts to concepts.

• Cognitive Hierarchy Mastery: Teachers must organize knowledge around broader conceptual schemes.

Steps in Conceptual Attainment

1. Identify and Define the Concept: Ensure clarity and teachability.

2. Select Attributes: Determine essential qualities defining the concept.

3. Develop Examples: Create lists of positive and negative examples to illustrate attributes.

4. Introduce the Process: Clearly explain steps and goals to students.

5. Present Examples and Attributes: Showcase and list attributes for clarity.

6. Develop Concept Definition: Frame a definition using positive attributes.

7. Provide Additional Examples: Reinforce understanding with further examples.

8. Class Discussion: Facilitate discussions on concept formation.

9. Evaluate Retention: Assess whether the concepts are understood and retained.

Inductive Method in Conceptual Learning

• Definition: Deriving general laws from specific observations through reasoning.

• Process:

  • Students engage in hands-on activities to discover relationships and formulate laws.

  • Example 1: Measuring triangles’ angles consistently shows that their sum equals 180°.

  • Example 2: Observations of odd number sums leading to even results.

Deductive Method in Conceptual Learning

• Definition: Involves applying accepted laws to specific examples, transitioning from general to specific.

• Process:

  • Understanding problems and applicable principles through systematic review of principles.

  • Verification involves applying principles to real cases, ensuring proper understanding.

Importance of Conceptual Approach

• Critical Thinking: Fosters critical evaluation and understanding by teaching information comprehensively.

• Retention: Enhances retention through meaningful learning, allowing for easier recall and practical application.