Soccon 2011 Inquiring Minds: Active Citizens

Notes from Soccon, the 2011 Social Science conference

18 -20 July, 2011
Te Wharewaka, Wellington

1. Maori Welcome – Speakers Sam Jackson and Paul Koewn

•    The Expanse of the social sciences
o    Many and varied learning areas
•    The Vehicle to connect young people with their society and their place in it
•    An exciting new curriculum but, the focus is on standards and assessment

2. Key Note Speaker – Professor Diana Hess
Key Messages
•    In a democratic society the inclusion of controversial issues belongs in the classrooms/schools;
o    What are controversial issues?
o    Why do they belong in the curriculum?
o    How do you teach it?
o    Ethical issues
o    Pedagogical issues
•    Need an “Open” question with multiple, competing, possible right answers
•    Needs a “Fair Hearing”;
o    Students must listen and engage with competing points of view
•    Must have content (background knowledge)
Eg;- should NZ keep the MMP Voting system?
Would be better phrased as -
    “What kind of electoral system will ensure the rights to vote?”
•    Perennial Issues eg “Free Speech” is a perennial
•    Unresolved questions of public policy that spark significance -  local, national and international
•    Useful website:-     Deliberating in Democracy
Deliberating.org
    Cloning, crime, cyber bullying, euthanasia, recycling, violence in videos

    In the Curriculum because;
o    Curriculum should be authentic
o    Schools have a mission to prepare in Children to be engaged, informed participants in social and political life
o    Social Sciences are rife with controversy
o    Enhances student critical thinking
o    Can be highly engaging for students
   
   
    How to teach it….
o    Establish a climate
o    Difference appreciated
o    Can disagree
o    Must listen – can’t interrupt
o    Engage children in creating these norms
o    Their rules – ownership!
o    Use the discussion to teach content
    (No such thing as spontaneous discussion)

Controversal/Pedagogical Issues
What is an open question and how we deal with it;
   
E.g.- Climate Change
    Is it occurring – yes
    Is it caused by human behaviour – yes

Should NZ keep the MMP voting system?
What kind of electoral system will ensure the right to vote?

3. Professor James Banks

Multi-cultural and Social Studies Education
Diversity and Citizenship Education
Migration in and across national boundaries
Nationalism remains strong but;

    120 Million living away from their own country 1990
    160 Million living away from their own country 2000
    200 Million living away from their own country 2008

International migration with impact on “citizenship”
To feel connected they need to see themselves connected to the overarching nation state.

Tension between Unity and Diversity

Balancing this is essential for a multi-cultural democratic society.

Global Citizenship – Concept or reality?
4. Christine Council

•    Explored the historical concepts of change & continuity,
•    We explored the big questions concerning “causation” ,
•    Analysis required for exploring historical change;
o    Extent of change
o    Speed of change
o    Nature of change

5. General Statement

As a primary school teacher I found the conference both inspiring and affirming of my current practise. It explored Thinking Tools and Inquiring Minds.

It also explored “Citizenship” and the notion of an “active citizen”.
There was a good balance between the academic and the practical classroom application.

I found the Wednesday programme with “Brilliant Bursts” the most useful. Here practising teachers talked about sharing their practise or brilliant ideas.
There was also time to browse and see the commercial provider’s exhibits.

6. Conclusion

The conference showed how “Literacy” can be taught through the Social Sciences.
It is not only about learning to read but reading to learn.

As Lester Flockton said “this NZC maxim is doning “More for less”

“We already are not doing enough Social Science – Do we want more of that!”.