Global and Social Studies Education: The responsibilities of the social studies educator

Sunday, December 16, 2007

The responsibilities of the social studies educator

As we live in a global and multicultural era, how should social studies teachers respond to such forces? With issues like global warming, conflict, HIV/AIDS, and international trade failing to yield to the bounds of the traditional nation-state, is it important for social studies teachers to teacher future citizens about other cultures and states?

Professor: Infusing a Global Perspective

As Professor of Social Studies Education at The University of Akron, I have the privilege of researching, and teaching graduate and undergraduate courses, on practices, protocols, and resources that advance inquiry oriented global learning within the social studies classroom. This includes critically reviewing digitally relevant instructional tools that seek to promote global perspectives. I believe that teacher education has an obligation to empower teacher candidates with the tools necessary to help confront the challenges and issues of our day. I advocate the need for the social studies teacher to protect the democratic spirit of open and free debate, I believe educators have an obligation to help students overcome the faulty rhetoric, narrow perspectives, partisan indoctrination, mannequinism and blind consumerism that often undermine effective democratic citizenship. Our nation and world face many challenges, all of which educators can not solve alone. For what makes a great education is not a stagnant focus on what can't be done but rather a greater focus on what can be done.

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