In order to demonstrate my learning of this course objective, I have included the rationale I created to explain why the lessons and unit that I designed were relevant and pertinent:
Q: Why is this lesson relevant at this time with students?
“The way that we look at and teach Social Studies is always changing. These lessons should demonstrate to students that the issues we find important and relevant now were not always pressing or relevant, although many of them should have been. It shows that history, geography, sociology, and other subjects and topics are inherently based on our value judgments of what is relevant at the time in which we teach it, and as such, will not limit them to thinking those selected topics are the only ones worth considering in their lives in general. Further, those with power and privilege often shape what is taught in education, and the whole story is often not portrayed until we can look at it frankly or retroactively. It should generate the space for them to be able to think critically and realistically about what they themselves find important, and give them the skills to process what kind of information and perspectives align with how they see the world, while acknowledging and respecting that others will operate and process in different ways. The intention is not to produce pragmatism necessarily, but rather to encourage understanding. Further, it should create a safe environment for them to investigate and analyze their own perspectives and undo their own implicit bias. It should encourage them to find value in looking at both perspectives in any issue, and improve their mental processing and debating skills by having them look at each topic holistically, rather than from one side. Becoming informed students should give them a foundation to form their own ethical judgements on said events and issues, and to examine how we can learn from our mistakes, and make constant improvements and adjustments as we grow forward together as humankind.”
This investigation reminded me how important it is for each individual to do their own work reflecting on their own privilege and unveiling their own implicit bias in order for use to move forward. What stood out for me what how powerful a rationale can be in framing the rest of the process of a lesson or unit design.
Photo by Dmitry Ratushny on Unsplash
