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Enhancing Classroom Learning: A Constructivist Approach to Social Studies Projects

This project explores the application of a webquest on the Causes of the American Civil War for 7th grade social studies. Students assume the roles of advisors to either Abraham Lincoln or Jefferson Davis, promoting engagement through critical thinking. Key elements include creating driving questions, concept maps, and resource databases. Furthermore, we examined a PBL project evaluating the impact of a new Wal-Mart store in Hibbert, focusing on community benefits and environmental considerations. The project highlights the effective use of technology in education and its positive impact on student comprehension.

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Enhancing Classroom Learning: A Constructivist Approach to Social Studies Projects

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  1. Reflections By: Ross Feitlinger Both parts are in one power point

  2. ReflectionPart 1 Ross Feitlinger EDU 558 Fall 08

  3. Constructivist Project • A webquest on the Causes of the American Civil War • 7th Grade- Social Studies • Students were asked to take the role as an advisor to Abraham Lincoln or Jefferson Davis • http://dana.ucc.nau.edu/~rdf38/Webquestproject/Mainpage.html

  4. The PBL Project Steps • Create a driving question • Create a Group Concept Map • Create a KNI chart • Research the driving question • Create a resource database • Gather the numeric data • Create a publication • Create a decision matrix • Debrief the problem using some multimedia medium

  5. The PBL project description • Wal-Mart wants to open a new store in the town of Hibbert • First, as the advisor to the Mayor you need to research to see if this is a good idea or bad • Then, help make the decision • Finally, create something to promote your decision

  6. Our group’s PBL project • Driving Question- Would Hibbert benefit as a community if Wal-Mart is approved to build there? • Our decision was- Wal-Mart can build in the town of Hibbert, but they have to build a “green” store and they will get no tax incentive and they will split the cost for the infrastructure

  7. ReflectionPart 2 Ross Feitlinger EDU 558 Fall 08

  8. Best Assignment • The Constructivist project (AKA: The Webquest assignment) • This was a project where I actually had to use technology in my classroom • It was not theoretical- it was actually an assignment • I have been teaching the Causes of the American Civil War for three years and this year I saw the most comprehension and pretension from my students then any year previously • By actually doing the assignment I saw the full potential of a webquest project in my classroom and the use of technology in my classroom

  9. The Most Challenging Assignment • The PBL Project • There were a lot of parts to this project • Many times the explanations for the assignments were as clear as mud • You really had to rely on the other group members to get everything done • Finding useful and good information was trying at times • The amount of time it took to complete this project

  10. Application of technology • I have always wanted to use technology in my classroom… • I never really knew lessons • Now I have lesson ideas • I have seen them in practice • They work and therefore I am confident to implement technology in my classroom • In fact I already have started to implement what I have learned into my classroom

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