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

Unit III: WHAT IS "NEW" SOCIAL STUDIES?

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

Identify and Define the Concept: Ensure clarity and teachability.
Select Attributes: Determine essential qualities defining the concept.
Develop Examples: Create lists of positive and negative examples to illustrate attributes.
Introduce the Process: Clearly explain steps and goals to students.
Present Examples and Attributes: Showcase and list attributes for clarity.
Develop Concept Definition: Frame a definition using positive attributes.
Provide Additional Examples: Reinforce understanding with further examples.
Class Discussion: Facilitate discussions on concept formation.
Evaluate Retention: Assess whether the concepts are understood and retained.

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.

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.

Critical Thinking: Fosters critical evaluation and understanding by teaching information comprehensively.
Retention: Enhances retention through meaningful learning, allowing for easier recall and practical application.