Strategies, Responsibilities and Outcomes

Abstract

Interest in a particular SSI can be stimulated by means of newspaper and magazine clippings, items from Websites, photographs, movies, radio and television clips, stories, poems, personal oral accounts, anecdotes and testimony (including those provided by classroom visitors), biographies, paintings, cartoons, museum and science centre visits, field trips, site visits, and so on. The chosen issue can be pursued by means of library or Web-based research, whole or small group discussions, debates and ‘Town Hall meetings’, use of critical incidents and case studies (including consultation of the primary research literature), project work, problem-based learning, games, role play, drama, simulations and interactive media. Two points can be made. First, we need to pay heed to the old phrase “Horses for Courses”. An approach that is well-suited to one issue may be ill-suited to another. Teachers need to look carefully at the strengths and weaknesses of particular approaches in relation to particular SSI and particular groups of students. Second, we need to ensure variety of approach. Almost any approach can become tedious and unproductive if over-used.