The Grosvenor Center for Geographic Education and National Center for Research in Geography Education propose a new framework for geography called Powerful Geography, which revolutionizes the traditional notion of standards in geography education. Combining Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum's principles of human capabilities, Michael Young's theory…

How can teachers effectively use documentary film to teach history, and toward what goals? This article addresses these important questions by: (1) exploring what we know about secondary teachers' practices with documentary film and secondary students' beliefs about documentary film as a source of knowledge about the past, (2) proposing a…

The need for relevant objectives and sound evaluation in the social studies is discussed. (SD)

The focus of this article is centered around this fundamental question and attempts to provide a more systematic framework needed to clarify the general nature of the relationship between behaviorally stated educational objectives and the assessment of their acheivement. (Author)

Individuals who question the value of studying history as being irrelevant to the present are reminded that all institutions, groups, and human practices exist in the time dimension and that the study of history serves to stimulate and deepen one's sense of the dimension of time. (Author/AV)

Reviews changing attitudes toward the objectives of social studies throughout our country's educational history. Emphases have included history teaching, geography and civics, strengthening democratic institutions, education for life adjustment, knowledge of specific disciplines, relevance of life experiences to academic knowledge, and the "back…

There are at least sixteen benefits to be derived from the study of history. (AM)

Presents a retrospective look at the curriculum reform known as the New Social Studies. Defines New Social Studies as a content organization reflecting a discipline or a teaching-learning methodology emphasizing induction, inquiry, and problem solving. Suggests that more parent involvement and student cooperation are necessary before more…

This article discusses how fictional works can give a purposeful context and an appropriate venue for developing essential social studies concepts in middle-school students. The author uses the example of a National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) notable book, "Jason's Gold" that blends history with story to become historical…

Futurists claim that we are forging a new paradigm of human understanding and that this understanding will help students see the world from a global perspective. Discussed are the theory of consciousness psychology, its relationship to the global perspective, and the goals of a consciousness curriculum. (RM)

In contrast to the Orwellian world of three autonomous super-states, global interdependence, not autonomy, characterizes the world today. The goals of education in our global age must be to provide young people skills to analyze, evaluate, know, and participate in the world around them. (RM)

History instruction should teach students about the processes through which history is made and understood. Students need to learn skills in historical analysis and interpretation, study people of the past and present involved in making history, and study historical principles that cultivate humane values. (AM)

Elementary children can be introduced to the historical processes of evaluating and interpreting materials within the existing curriculum. Activities for teachers and students are suggested. (AM)