1. 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

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

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

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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. Objective
To understand the research supporting each strategy

11. 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)

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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. Please take the survey before you leave
Questions?
Please take the survey before you leave