Describes cooperation between social studies and science education professors to introduce preservice teachers to the evolution versus creationism debate via a mock trial. Uses a hypothetical situation in which a 6th grade teacher was fired for not balancing evolution and creationism in his teaching. Reports that the mock trial slightly increased…

Discusses the use of simulations in the history classroom. Focuses on a simulation of the German Reichstag election of 1932, used in a modern German history course at Eastern Oregon University (La Grande, Oregon). Provides information on the setting, roles, the simulation procedures, and possible outcomes. (CMK)

Describes a course entitled "The Trial of Napoleon Bonaparte" that focuses on a fictitious mock trial of Napoleon Bonaparte to answer the question: did Napoleon pervert or preserve the gain of the French Revolution? Discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the course. (CMK)

While research efforts have determined that decision making is of major importance in lesson planning, there has been little work that systematically explores the effect of training in decision making on lesson planning, particularly in terms of preservice teachers. This study used four computer simulations designed to teach decision making skills…

The "ISSS Annual Conference Proceedings" is a peer-reviewed professional publication published once a year following the annual conference. The following papers are included in the 2013 proceedings: (1) Teaching About Asia in a Social Science Education Program (Cyndi Mottola Poole and Joshua L. Kenna); (2) Teaching Students about…

Describes the use of drama in the social studies classroom as a method of motivating students at all levels of education. Presents a rationale for using drama, identifies successful practitioners of this method, discusses the procedure for its use, and reports the responses of students to it. (GEA)

Discusses four elements essential for successfully using role playing in the history classroom: (1) background knowledge: building on the knowledge that students possess; (2) perspectives: designing the role to maximize involvement and conflict; (3) situation: having a "focal point for debate"; and (4) management: the teacher's management of the…

Presents a teaching technique in which the instructor alternately dons hats that represent opposing viewpoints. Discusses the educational value of the hat technique in teaching politics and government. Explains the role of students in the exercise and provides a students' evaluation of the technique. Maintains the technique makes abstract concepts…

This document includes a student text and a teacher resource book. The student booklet provides an overview of the history of the Indian subcontinent, focuses on key events leading up to partition, and explores the origins of the conflict in Kashmir. It notes that to understand the conflict in Kashmir, people must examine the period of British…

This study was intended to see if the instructional practices of social studies teacher educators could promote positive change in preservice teachers' attitudes towards the rationales for teaching social studies. It examined the effect of roleplay on the attitude change of preservice elementary teachers toward the reflective inquiry rationale for…

A game designed to introduce secondary and college students to the legislative process and the issues surrounding the Equal Rights Amendment through simulation and role playing is presented. The simulation places the student in the role of a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee of the State Legislature of the hypothetical state of New…

A simulation of a Congressional hearing on national population policy is provided. University students and community members decide on a resolution introduced in the United State Senate in 1971 which proposed the stabilization of population growth. Students organize themselves into four interest groups--Black Americans, business-industrial,…

Continues an article from an earlier issue that reported on a study of memorable social studies activities experienced by college students when they were in elementary schools. Finds that activity-oriented instruction was remembered most positively. (CFR)

A secondary-level simulation designed to demonstrate the impact of policy, values, and technological and societal developments upon the quality of life within a hypothetical state is described. See related document ED 064 865 for availability of the actual game. By simulating the evaluation of policies in terms of social indicators, STAPOL (State…

This document provides a description of the Model United Nations (MUN) program, its educational benefits, an overview of its practice within the United States, and outlines methods for using the MUN as a teaching tool. A total of 72 MUNs involving high school and college students was reported in 1977-78. As a simulation, the MUN provides…