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Estradakatelynn Ted 690-Lit Review Domain D
Estradakatelynn Ted 690-Lit Review Domain D
Abstract
There are numerous debates among educators in how to best instruct students. Though these
debates are numerous and continuing, educators agree that the goal is to improve student
knowledge and ability to think critically about content. The social studies provide a unique
opportunity to achieve these instructional goals. The National Council for Social Studies
advocates for instruction that connects content to students’ lives, incorporates a broad range of
resources for learning such as critical and creative thinking and active engagement.
LITERATURE REVIEW-DOMAIN D 3
Literature Review-Domain D
Social studies have shifted away from mere memorization of facts with a new focus on deeper
connections with content to acquire new knowledge. Achieving the new goals of social studies is
Educational Progress. This data shows 17% of eighth graders and 12% of 12th graders
demonstrated proficiency in the area of U.S. history (Wanzek, et al, p. 184). To combat these
trends, the article by J Wanzek et al explores the team-based learning as an instructional tool.
Team-based learning is structured small-group learning where students are placed into
strategic teams and work together on “modules” or units of study. The purpose of TBL is to
extend beyond “covering content and instead focus on giving students the opportunity to solve
problems within a content area. The benefits of team-based learning are that students achieve a
stronger depth of understanding, a better insight into their own abilities and limitations as
learners and that at-risk students. From a faculty perspective, team-based learning has many
benefits. First, this type of approach to learning can improve student engagement and interest.
Second, this type of learning may allow teachers to create stronger relationships with students as
Team-based learning represents a shift away from what can be considered traditional
instruction in social studies. Team Based Learning or TBL is a form of instruction that features
“active engagement through collaborative group discourse about critical content.” (Wanzek et al,
2014, p. 184). Social studies traditionally have been acquired by lecture or interaction with texts.
Though these types of instructional approaches are standard practices for educators, they are
passive ways of learning content. “Active student engagement with content supported through
discourse and inquiry has been linked to the development of critical thinking skills as well as
LITERATURE REVIEW-DOMAIN D 4
high level of academic rigor in the classroom.” (Waznek et al, 2014, p. 184). A component of
Instruction during team-based learning requires students to learn a topic, express their
application in an activity and 4. A peer evaluation process. “thus, the TBL framework
Though TBL is a promising approach to studying social studies, there exists little
research on the benefits of its use in the classroom. Initial studies show that TBL implementation
may be useful for students who are in the college-ready stage pf development. Experiments show
that students in this age range did increase content knowledge for many students when
participating in a TBL formatted class. TBL allows students and instructors to become partners
References:
Wanzek, Jeanne et al. (2014) The Effects of Team-Based Learning on Social Studies Knowledge
Acquisition in High School. Journal of Research on Educational Effectiveness. 184-201.