Global and Social Studies Education: Active Learning: Using Simulations to Stimulate the Social Studies

Monday, November 17, 2008

Active Learning: Using Simulations to Stimulate the Social Studies

For those of you that either missed our presentation at the 2008 NCSS Annual Conference in Houston, Texas or could not squeeze into the jam packed room (over 75 audience members), I have posted our PowerPoint presentation and any distributed resources to my blog. In an age where teachers are searching for ways to authentically engage students, many of us can attest to the power of a good simulation. Feel free to access the resources, and make constructive comments. For those of you that plan on using the distributed “Daily Show” lesson plan, be looking for the soon to be posted video on Youtube.com that shows my social studies methods students and I journeying through its use. I’ll be sure to link to it when it’s edited and uploaded.

1. Active Learning: Infusing Simulations to Stimulate the Social Studies

2. Use of Child Soldiers in Uganda Simulation

3. Election of 1800 Simulation (Can use with other important elections)

4. A Nation of Immigrants Simulation

5. Daily Show Lesson Plan

6. United Nations Simulation

7. Iraq Debate Format

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.

Disclaimer: Opinions and reflections published here as posts are entirely those of the author. Discussion posts, signed by others, belong to the signed authors. The content here does not reflect the opinions or thoughts of anyone else, including my employers.