Educational Methods Commons^™

Problem-Based Learning: A Necessity For Social Studies Education, Judson T. Kidd

Teaching Social Studies in the Peach State

Abstract:

This paper explores the design and implementation of Project-Based Learning (PBL) for middle and secondary classrooms, emphasizing its role in fostering critical thinking and postformal reasoning. A successful PBL framework consists of three interconnected stages: problem identification, evaluation, and solution development. Contextualization, the first stage, should be designed to engage learners and root them in the issue that is under study. The second stage focuses on the student being exposed to and evaluating multiple perspectives and actors. This step requires carefully designed guiding questions so that students have a model of interpretation that allows them to practice critical thinking …

Fostering Student Inquiry With Perspective Taking And Music: The Geography Detective Activity, William Gary G. Cole

Teaching Social Studies in the Peach State

This article introduces the Geography Detective activity, an inquiry-based instructional strategy that integrates perspective taking and music to foster student engagement and disciplinary thinking in a ninth-grade World Geography classroom. Centered on the song “Cecilia” by The Mulligan Brothers, the activity invites students to analyze lyrics as historical evidence, investigate geographical and historical contexts, and construct evidence-based interpretations of time, place, and events embedded within the narrative. Through guided and open-ended inquiry, students adopt the role of “history detectives,” grappling with ambiguity, evaluating sources, and defending plausible conclusions rather than seeking predetermined answers. Grounded in research on inquiry-based learning, perspective …

The Science Of Reading The Trenches Of The First World War, Shannon T. Bontrager Ph.D.

Teaching Social Studies in the Peach State

This paper provides a lesson plan for secondary teachers to begin thinking about tying the literature connected to the Science of Reading to practical classroom lessons. It provides an example of using Science of Reading strategies to get students to investigate and imagine what the trenches of the First World War were like.

Fostering Agency In Future Educators: Redesigning Instruction For Children's Literature Discovery Amidst Policy Changes, Rae Mair

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

Recent changes in Florida policy led to the removal of several locally developed library resources. These resources had supported the discovery of children’s literature reflecting a range of cultural and social perspectives, along with the lesson plans created by students and faculty to accompany them. The shift placed greater emphasis on helping undergraduate teacher education students locate books on their own using advanced search strategies and available tools. Strengthening these skills has become increasingly important for supporting student agency in selecting materials for their classrooms. However, motivating students to engage with advanced search techniques in library catalogs and databases can …

Professional Learning Community Implementation And Perceptions Of Influence On School Culture, Herbert L. Chambers Jr.

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

As school leaders strive to achieve educational success at all levels in schools, this research provided educational professionals with feedback on how the implementation of professional learning communities (PLCs) is perceived as influencing school culture. The purpose of this non-experimental quantitative survey design was to examine how educators perceived that school culture is influenced by the practice of PLCs. Descriptive statistics were calculated for 57 survey items. This research design provided the perceptions of school leaders, teachers, and support staff at the elementary, middle, and high school levels based on five identified dimensions of the Professional Learning Community Assessment – …

Camp David Accords Lesson Plan With Simulation, Natalia Burgess

Teaching Social Studies in the Peach State

The Camp David Accords resulted in a peace between Egypt and Israel that lasted 45 years, but failed to achieve the broader effect that Jimmy Carter was aiming for which was peace in the Middle East. With this lesson plan students taking U.S. History at the secondary education level will analyze U.S. international and domestic policies including their advancements and social changes during the Carter administration. Students will evaluate key issues between Egypt and Israel by analyzing the successes and/or failures of the Camp David Accords. Students should be able to identify conflict and change by understanding when there is …

Farewell, Emperor: Incorporating Novelty Breathes Life Into Student Assessments & Retention, Arminda Elizabeth Lawrence Sr.

Teaching Social Studies in the Peach State

In this action research project, a high school AP European History teacher explores the impact of novelty-based assessment on student learning and information retention. By replacing traditional lecture and quiz methods with a creative Napoleon eulogy project, the teacher investigated whether novel assessment strategies could enhance student achievement. Students were tasked with researching an individual in Napoleon's orbit and delivering a eulogistic speech, departing from conventional evaluation methods.

The study revealed promising results: student comfort with Napoleonic history increased by 41.9%, and long-essay scores improved by 5.25%. Interestingly, while students did not initially recognize the project's educational value, follow-up assessments …

Breaking The Pipeline: Exploring Exclusionary Discipline, Restorative Justice, And The Attitudes And Beliefs Of Educators, Ericka J. Varnedoe

Honors College Theses

This study explores the connection between exclusionary disciplinary practices and the school-to-prison pipeline. It highlights how exclusionary discipline, including suspensions and expulsions, disproportionately affects marginalized groups such as students of color, students with disabilities, and LGBTQ youth, further contributing to the school-to-prison pipeline. In contrast, restorative justice, a non-punitive approach, offers a promising alternative. Initially adopted from the criminal justice system, restorative justice has been integrated into school environments to foster positive school climates, improve experiences, and mitigate challenging behaviors. This research examines educators' attitudes toward both exclusionary and restorative practices, as well as their awareness and implementation of restorative …

The Listening Challenge: Fostering Soft Skill Development Through A Four-Week Practice And Reflective Journaling Assignment, Monica A. Hodis, Patricia L. Wollan

AMTP Proceedings 2025

In response to the growing emphasis on soft skills in business, this study addresses the persistent gap between employer needs and graduates’ abilities by introducing the Listening Challenge. This four-week individual learning assignment, grounded in Kolb’s experiential learning model, aims to enhance students’ listening skills through intentional practice and reflective journaling. Conducted over three semesters with 101 undergraduate students in a Personal Selling course, the study utilized qualitative data analysis to assess the effectiveness of the assignment. Results indicate significant progress in students’ listening abilities, increased self-awareness, and heightened motivation to improve. Students reported enhanced listening self-efficacy and expressed intentions …

Non-Aversive Social And Academic Interventions For Youth With Challenging Behavior, Tom Clees

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

Differential reinforcement procedures (DR) will be the focus of this presentation, including differential reinforcement of appropriate behavior that is alternative to (DRA), or incompatible with (DRI), targeted challenging behavior, and differential reinforcement of the absence of challenging behavior for specified intervals (DRO). In addition, combined strategies (DR with changing criteria and/or social skills instruction) will be presented. Novel applications will also be highlighted.

Importance Of Principal-School Counselor Relationship, Moya A. Pope Ed.S, Monica Y. Pace Ed.S

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

Principals and School Counselors - y'all alright?!? What's your relationship like: Good? Bad? Ugly? The relationship between the school counselor and principal can affect the school as a whole - and when they have a strong relationship, the school community is stronger. This presentation will give you tips on how to strengthen your relationship, become better leaders and positively affect student achievement and school climate.

2025 Conference Program, Georgia Southern University

SoTL Commons Conference

2025 Conference Program

Literary Homeplace As A Site Of Knowing And Healing, Shamonique Hassell

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The concept of literary homeplace serves as a locus of rhetorical healing for Black women, emphasizing their lived experiences and creative expressions as forms of resistance and restoration (Collins, 1986; hooks, 1990; Nettles, 2001). The labor of Black women within families, churches, and artistic endeavors contributes to the cultivation of a collective consciousness surrounding oppression and healing (Edwards, 2010; Carey, 2016; Morrison, 1992). Building upon hooks’ (1990) notion of homeplace, this dissertation examines how Black women foster spaces characterized by care, dignity, and resilience (Hersey, 2022; Tate, 1984). Using personal narrative and articulating Black women’s voices, I position homeplace as …

Motivating Students Through Problem-Based And Project-Based Learning, Dennis J. Moore

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

ABSTRACT

As educators, motivating students can be a difficult task.Sixteen eighth-grade students discuss their perceptions of what makes educational programs motivating. In teacher-centered classrooms, teachers lecture while their students take notes, quizzes, and tests and practice memorization skills in preparation for high-stakes testing. Is this a fair assessment of a student's knowledge, and does this type of instruction fulfill students’ needs for a successful future? Research for this case study focused on students' perceptions of an agricultural program that utilizes problem-based and project-based learning with a sustainability focus.

In problem-based learning (PBL) classes, students are given real-world problems and asked …

Teaching Literacy: The Intersection Of Social Studies And Language Arts Through Integration- Lesson Plan Exemplar, Pamela Mccabe, Jennifer Shiers, Christopher D. Moore, Jeremy Nix

Teaching Social Studies in the Peach State

This lesson plan exemplar, based on third grade GSE ELA and social studies standards, demonstrates how teachers can best integrate social studies and ELA content to maximize instructional time and increase litearcy and social studies background knowledge.

Teaching Literacy: The Intersection Of Social Studies And Language Arts Through Integration, Christopher D. Moore, Jennifer Shiers, Pamela Mccabe, Jeremy Nix

Teaching Social Studies in the Peach State

Social studies education has always been an important component of K-5 education; however, as dedicated, content-specific instructional time has steadily decreased over the past two decades to give more time to mathematics and specifically English Language Arts, literacy scores have also decreased. Partnering ELA and social studies in the K-5 space allows for students to build their background knowledge in social studies, while increasing their literacy by using instructional resources connected to social studies during the ELA block, and then teaching social studies thinking skills during devoted social studies class time.

Using Education To Protect The Elderly Against Fraud, Erik Charles

Honors College Theses

This study’s goal is to provide a guide to anyone looking to educate the elderly on fraud. Advice is provided for those who want to help an elderly person in their life and for people who wish to create fraud educations programs of their own. My own experience creating and giving a fraud lecture at a senior living facility is used as evidence for my advice, as well as research into various elderly and fraud related topics.

Youth Unveiled: Decoding The Stages Of Growth And Of Thriving Futures, Tycee Prevatt, Kristie Popa

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

Explore Positive Youth Development's focus on aligning youth development with age-appropriate practices for maximum benefit from opportunities. Join us to understand the stages of youth growth and learn effective techniques to engage them in activities.

"Success Is The Only Option", Sherene A. Carpenter Phd

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

"Success Is the Only Option". Reflective, Engaging, Imperative. Often times teachers place grades on report cards without analyzing or reflecting. Interesting conversations take place when teachers are presented with a chart displaying the number of As and Bs compared to the number Ds and Fs. What does a snapshot of your classroom, school, or district reveal about both student and teacher academic success? This presentation allows participants to identify resolutions to barriers, as well as receive tools that enhance student/teacher engagement - as Academic Success Is the Only Option.

Prison Walls To College Halls- How To Win With The Most Challenging Students, Floyd D. Lyles

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

Prison Wall to College Halls- How to WIN with your most challenging students is about teaching educators about how to work with at-risk, and challenging students. I believe all students need a champion. Are you a champion for every kid in your building? I will teach you the winning formula and how to be successful with the most challenging, difficult students. You must be Willing to Invest your time and Never give up.

A Trauma Responsive Approach To Fostering Resilience, Addressing Equity Issues And Improving Student Wellness And Academic Success, Mark Harrington, Joe Thompson, Catherine Stone, Kim Witeck

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

. The REO (re-entry option) Program was created in response to an overwhelming need to address severe disciplinary referral patterns and the disproportionate impact on students of color. It is rare that the underlying issue that may have precipitated the undesirable behavior is considered, and even rarer that a referral to clinical staff is the response. In the REO program is an intervention designed to be initiated by a teacher who recognizes or experiences a student in pre-crisis or a student a student who believes they need to a safe place to self-regulate to prevent escalating behavior. The student is …

Growing Young Men - Transitioning And Transforming, Will Smith Mr.

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

The Growing Young Men program recognizes that we possess an important role in providing leadership in character development for the scholars of our community. We believe that character education and the development of life skills are vital to helping our scholars become good citizens in society.

Mindfulness: The Missing Link In Education, Ashley L. Baer

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

Were you asked to pay attention or behave in school? As educators, we must stop expecting focus and self-regulation, and instead we must teach it. Learn how in this experiential session to connect and regulate students using the breathing ball, games, breath, and movement. Let’s practice!

Engaging Teacher-Student Relationships With All Students, Jess Teal

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

Positive teacher-student relationships are essential for a safe classroom that promotes academic achievement and social/emotional development for all children. Teachers need specific practices and resources to support them in establishing positive teacher-student relationships with all their students. All students deserve a consistent adult connection and to call school a safe place to learn and grow.

The Power Of Team Sports And One Caring Adult, Don Poole

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

When team sports are combined with one adult(Synergy) you can give a child a "Why". Also when you committ to not use limiting beliefs or make judgements about a child's future the sky is the limit. Using the Goldfish principles amazing outcomes will happen!

Effectiveness Of The #Eventcanvas Methodology In Online Education, Hilmi A. Atadil, Patti Spaniola, Helena F. Allman, Sebnem Atabas

AMTP Proceedings 2024

#EventCanvas Methodology is an innovative event design process that presents collective online teaching and learning strategies for marketing students and business schools. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the speed of digitalization in marketing and business education. Now, even more research is needed for studies introducing and examining new online teaching and learning strategies. Based on the principles of the Spreading Activation Theory, the purpose of this study is twofold: (1) to explore students’ online learning experience for the #EventCanvas Methodology, and (2) to examine the instructors’ teaching experience with this methodology by developing meme maps. It is proposed that …

Letters To Myself ~ Reflections Of A New Teacher ~ A Curriculum Of Self, Sarah Brittany S. Greneker

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This is a nontraditional, very creative approach to dissertation writing. Using reflective poetic inquiry, I reflect on my experiences transitioning from pre-service to in-service teacher in the early childhood classroom. I taught for 7 years and encountered many situations that would have been beneficial to know prior to becoming a certified teacher. I explore overarching themes of coworker relationships, undergraduate program preparation, the various responsibilities, classroom environment, teacher evaluation, teacher perspective, and teacher mental health and well-being and how they each impact a teacher’s experience in the classroom. This is accomplished through the epistolary genre and letters to myself as …

2024 Conference Program, Georgia Southern University

SoTL Commons Conference

Conference program for 2024

Resources For Developing Your A.I. Literacy, Michelle Reidel

Teaching Social Studies in the Peach State

This resource review includes materials designed to help you deepen your understanding of A.I. technologies and consider how these technologies can be leveraged to both mitigate your workload and support student learning.

Get To Know The Georgia Council For History Education, Joann Wood

Teaching Social Studies in the Peach State

Find out about the Georgia Council for History Education by exploring with colleagues a deeper understanding of history and improving the teaching and learning of history.