Engagement in the Social Studies Classroom Using Action Research To Empower North Carolina Educators Engagement in the Social Studies Classroom Amanda O’Brien Cumberland County Schools Terry Sanford High School

WHAT'S AT RISK? For many dropping out is the last step in a long process of disengagement

DID YOU KNOW? There are 3 types of engagement: Behavioral Emotional Cognitive Engagement is way more than just liking a class

WHY AM I TELLING YOU THIS? To increase engagement in the secondary social studies classroom through the use of authentic instructional strategies.

What am I doing? Redesigned units Each technique incorporated at least once per unit: Primary source work Using multiple perspectives of History Incorporating academic controversies Collaborative instructional practices Web 2.0 technology

Today Look at each of the 5 strategies Discuss which strategies are best for standard and honors students Review conclusions of the study Discuss implementing the strategies

Definitions Engagement is the behavioral, emotional, and cognitive commitment of student effort in the classroom. Authentic instructional strategies are defined as instructional practice that incorporate conflict, diversity, and technology in classroom activities while using twenty-first century workplace skills such as inquiry, discourse, and decision-making.

Objective To understand the research supporting each strategy

Jigsaw – Part 1 Become an EXPERT on your topic 1. Read about your topic 2. Fill out the teach sheet with your group (you should all teach the same thing)

Jigsaw – Part 2 In your new groups, teach about your topic. Go in order: Multiple Narratives Primary Source Work Collaboration Academic Controversy Technology

Student Class Survey Responses Results   Student Class Survey Responses Standard Class Survey Responses Cooperative Learning Multiple Historical Narratives (perspectives) Primary Source Work Academic Controversies Use of Technology Behavioral Engagement 3 2 1 Emotional Engagement Cognitive Engagement Overall Rating Honors Class Survey Responses

Conclusions When engaged, students’ overall perception of history changes Students should “do” history not just absorb it Teacher-centered, lecture based methods, are ineffective with this group of students Primary Source Work and Multiple Narratives prove to be two of the most effectivie instructional strategies

Implementation Use each authentic instructional strategy once per unit You still have to be an ACTIVE part of class Use resource page to find and create activities Access the wiki for further information

Please take the survey before you leave Questions? Please take the survey before you leave https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Z5RK86L