Training of Key Resource Persons (KRPs) on Learning of Social Science through Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Constructivist Pedagogy

Abstract

Social Sciences in upper primary and secondary levels covers a wide area encompassing environmental, social, political and economic issue as well as fundamental geography and history. Knowledge imparted through Social Science is indispensable to building the knowledge base for a just and peaceful society. It also carries a normative responsibility of creating a strong sense of human values namely freedom, trust, mutual respect and respect for diversity. The realization of these is contingent upon many factors, most importantly the method of imparting social science understanding and knowledge in the classroom and outside classrooms. Many researchers suggest that a constructivist method of teaching could improve students' social science understanding and skills. Constructivist teaching is based on the belief that learning occurs when learners are actively involved in a process of meaning and knowledge construction as opposed to passively receiving information; learners are the makers of meaning and knowledge. It fosters critical thinking and creates motivated and independent learners. This theoretical framework holds that learning always builds upon knowledge that a student already knows through which all learning is filtered. This method of teaching rely on guided discovery where the teacher avoids most direct instruction and attempts to lead the student through questions and activities to discover, discuss, appreciate, and verbalize the new knowledge.