2 May 2018
ISSUES EXPLORER
Developing Our Students as Informed, Concerned & Participative Citizens
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SELECTION OF THE MONTH
Tapping on Technology in the Social Studies Classroom
DICE IT UP
Lesson Ideas from the Singapore Student Learning Space (SLS)
WHAT'S SIMMERING Exploring Societal Issues
WHAT'S COOKING
Professional Development Opportunities
Brought to you by the Social Studies (Secondary) Unit
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SELECTION OF THE MONTH TAPPING ON TECHNOLOGY in the Social Studies Classroom In November 2017, two of our colleagues had the opportunity to participate in the annual conference organised by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) in San Francisco. We share some of their key takeaways in this article. In line with the theme of the conference, 'Expanding Visions/Bridging Traditions', educators shared their classroom practices which were aimed at answering the question: How can we help students make sense of a rapidly changing world? Here, we share 3 online platforms that teachers can tap on to nurture critical thinking skills to develop our students into informed and concerned citizens. These platforms serve to help teachers better engage students and enhance the learning experience in the digital environment.
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EdPuzzle
Videos have become an integral part of teaching and learning, as they provide authentic and visual learning experiences for students to learn content or concepts. Tapping on multiple senses through the use of videos helps students visualise the abstract. Videos also expose students to various perspectives and increase students' engagement in learning. Teachers often show videos in class, or assign them as a pre-lesson activity, as part of a flipped classroom approach. Despite the value of videos as a teaching tool, teachers have raised concerns about capturing evidence of students’ critical thinking as they exercise reasoning and reflect on their understanding of the content in the videos. Such concerns can be overcome through EdPuzzle, a free video platform for teachers and students. It allows teachers to make videos a part of their lessons with tools and analytics to do the following: 1. find, upload or create a video on sites such as YouTube, TED Talks and Khan Academy; 2. stop the video at different points and insert questions, audio, text, links; 3. share that lesson with a class and get students to register using a class code; and 4. review student participation and answers to questions posed. EdPuzzle is also compatible with Google Classroom. To learn more, click on the following: Analytical tools to monitor and review student participation EdPuzzle Demo Video
Google Classroom Integration
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SELECTION OF THE MONTH 02
Storybird
When assigned a written task, students often complain of writer’s block, or the need to submit yet another run-of-the-mill essay. With technology, text and visuals can be combined to stimulate student reflection at the end of the inquiry process. Students can demonstrate reflective thinking in the form of political cartoons or digital posters created by students. Teachers can also use such visual representations as an assessment of students’ critical thinking skills. Storybird is a free educational platform that curates artwork from illustrators and animators around the world to inspire writers to turn images into fresh stories. Users can choose to print or share their completed work online. With Storybird, submitting essays and written assignments can be made more visually appealing to both teachers and students. Teachers can also use the platform to build a class library with a range of content for future classes. To learn more about the platform, click on the following: Create a picture book on Storybird
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Create a class on Storybird
Curated artwork to inspire students' writing
Storyboard That!
In equipping students with the skills to interpret and evaluate sources, teachers invest much time in helping students understand visual sources such as political cartoons. In analysing political cartoons, students exercise critical thinking skills as they construct meaning from symbolism, exaggeration and irony, common features in political cartoons. Students can apply their learning through the creation of political cartoons. Storyboard That is one such platform which allows students to create short comic strips using their massive library of ready-made scenes and characters. Similar to the Storybird platform, there are builtin features that enable teachers to build a class library of student-created cartoons for future lessons. To learn more about the platform, click on the following: Get started with Storyboard That!
Google Classroom + Storyboard That!
Create political cartoons using ready-made scenes and characters We hope these resources will be useful in complementing your classroom strategies and engaging your students!
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DICE IT UP The Learning Package In Issue 1 of the E/N(A) syllabuses, students learn how nationality, race and ethnicity, religion and socio-economic status can shape an individual's identity, thus contributing to diversity in society. For this article, we will be providing lesson ideas to encourage discussion in the classroom, based on the Learning Package "Chapter 4 - How Does One's Identity Contribute to Diversity?" This Learning Package focuses on helping students to unpack: • the factors that shape identities; and • the experiences and effects of living in a diverse society.
Landing Page Click on the tabs on the right to explore other resources in this Learning Package.
Graphic Organiser - 'My Identity Profile' Have students complete their identity profiles individually.
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DICE IT UP Lesson Idea Identity Profile
Spa Before going through the rkin g Cu Learning Package, consider rios ity discussing the following questions as a class: • What makes Singapore diverse? • How do your responses show diversity in Singapore?
a t a Invite students to share their D g identity profiles with their n i r group mates. After students e h t have shared their identity a G profiles, have students identify the similarities and differences between them.
Direct students to the "What is My Unique Identity?" tab, where they can complete the online graphic organiser to come up with their identity profile. For example, a group may share that ‘All of us are Singaporeans, but we practise different religions'.
Group Discussion Exercise Reasoning
Consider using the Teaching Action: Think-Pair-Share for this activity. More details on this Teaching Action are available here.
After sharing and comparing their identity profiles, have students discuss their responses to the following questions: • How do these similarities help you to relate to one another? • How could these differences pose challenges in society?
Students can jot down their responses on a pre-loaded Padlet template.
Deepen students' understanding by inviting responses to these questions: g n i k • What could happen if such challenges are not managed? in h T e • Using Singapore as an example, how can we maintain harmony in a diverse v i t c e l society? f e R Assessing Students' Learning Using Padlet Padlet is an online tool that helps to capture student responses. By capturing the data visually, teachers can: promote co-construction as students learn from one another; and identify learning gaps and misconceptions. Click on the icon on the left to learn more about Padlet.
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WHAT'S SIMMERING What makes Social Studies engaging for students is the relevance, relatability and currency of the issues discussed. Thus, this section looks at three currently evolving societal issues and provide suggestions on possible discussion questions that teachers can use in the Social Studies classroom.
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Exploring Citizenship & Governance Singapore Budget 2018
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Living in a Diverse Society Encouraging Social Mobility in Singapore
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Being Par t of a Globalised World Cyber Security in an Interconnected World
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WHAT'S SIMMERING #1
Exploring Citizenship & Governance Singapore Budget 2018
The videos and articles below present the considerations and objectives of the 2018 Singapore Budget. The Government plans its revenue and spending each year through the annual Budget. The Budget is determined by considering the national priorities, allocation of finite resources, sustainability of plans made, as well as trade-offs that need to be made. The introduction of measures in response to the current needs of the nation has been met with differing reactions from various stakeholders. How effectively have resources been allocated to ensure the continued development of Singapore?
Knowledge Outcomes Students will be able to understand: the considerations for allocation of funds in Singapore Budget 2018; and the impact and trade-offs of policy measures introduced through the 2018 Budget.
Links
Discussion Questions
Video 1: The National Budget Process Video 2: Budget 2018 lays foundation for Singapore's development Article 1: A Fiscally Sound but Politically Risky Budget Article 2: Budget 2018 - transforming Singapore’s future economy with a human touch Article 3: Singapore Budget 2018: Organisations and businesses react to the Budget speech Article 4: ‘We are not done building Singapore’: Build for the future but be prudent, says Heng Swee Keat Article 5: ‘Singapore Budget 2018: A long-haul Budget with some shortterm bite’ In determining the annual Budget, trade-offs are inevitable due to the need to be effective in the use of limited resources. What is a trade-off of the 2018 Budget and how will this affect Singapore? In wrapping up the Singapore Budget 2018, the Finance Minister said that “Singaporeans must be ‘responsible stewards’ of reserves in a fast-changing world.” In your opinion, what can be done to make Singaporeans 'responsible stewards' of our reserves?
Click HERE to access possible responses to discussion questions.
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WHAT'S SIMMERING #2
Living in a Diverse Society Encouraging Social Mobility in Singapore
Singapore’s socio-economic diversity has contributed to the exchange and appreciation of culture, as well as the exchange of skills and knowledge. However, our socio-economic diversity may also lead to competition over resources, widening the income gap. There are concerns that the widening income gap is hindering the social mobility of the lower income group. These videos and articles look at the refinements to existing policies to address the concern that social mobility in Singapore is limited. Are these refinements sufficient, or can more be done to encourage social mobility?
Knowledge Outcomes Students will be able to understand: the experiences of living in a diverse society; and the various ways in which governments and individuals can respond to the effects of living in a diverse society.
Links
Discussion Questions
Video 1: Budget 2018: Supporting Singaporeans Video 2: Let’s Think About It – Social Cohesion & Mobility (Part 1) Video 3: How do we tackle the issue of social mobility? - BBC Newsnight Article 1: Straits Times Interview with DPM Tharman: Social Policies, Spending and Taxes Article 2: Improving inclusivity and expanding pathways in education remain work in progress in 2018 Article 3: Income growth slows for less well-off in Singapore Article 4: Inspirational tales from society’s margins
What are some key budget measures to help individuals and families in Singapore attain social mobility? The Singapore Budget 2018 introduced several measures to help individuals and families in Singapore attain social mobility. In your opinion, why is it important to provide such forms of support for individuals and families?
Click HERE to access possible responses to discussion questions.
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WHAT'S SIMMERING #3
Being Part of a Globalised World Cyber Security in an Interconnected World
The advancement in technology has facilitated the growth of online networks, where a vast amount of confidential data is hosted. While globalisation has made it easier for people to access information, there are concerns that sensitive data hosted online may be mined illegally, resulting in the loss of users' privacy. In recent weeks, several cases of cyber security breaches have been reported around the world, including in Singapore. As governments around the world respond by introducing laws and measures to enhance online data security, what else can be done to ensure that the cyber sphere is safe for all users?
Knowledge Outcomes Students will be able to understand: the role of information technology in creating an interconnected world; and the impact of cyber security challenges on individuals and society.
Links
Discussion Questions
Video 1: Here’s everything you need to know about the Cambridge Analytica scandal Video 2: CSA chief on whether Singaporeans are sufficiently aware of online environment vulnerabilities Video 3: CSA chief: Neighbours levelling up on cybersecurity Article 1: 52 staff accounts at four Singapore universities breached by Iranian hackers Article 2: A cyberattack hobbles Atlanta, and security experts shudder Article 3: Facebook scandal could push other tech companies to tighten data sharing
Why do you think it is important to ensure data security in the cyber sphere? In your opinion, what can be done to minimise the threats posed by cyber security breaches?
Click HERE to access possible responses to discussion questions.
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WHAT'S COOKING Professional Development Courses April to August 2018 Design of Issue Investigation and Performance Task (NEW!) TRAISI Code: 22319 Date: 23 August 2018, Thursday Time: 0900 - 1700 Venue: AST Synopsis of Course: This workshop provides an overview of the application of the inquiry-based approach to Issue Investigation and Performance Task. Participants will acquire the skills of using social research methods to analyse societal issues related to the Social Studies syllabus.
Assessment Workshop for New SS Teachers for Revised Exp/N(A) Syllabuses TRAISI Code: 22638 Date: 5 - 6 July 2018, Thursday & Friday Time: 0900 - 1700 (2 Full Days) Venue: AST Synopsis of Course: Participants will have a greater understanding of the new assessment question types in the Revised GCE ‘O’- and ‘N(A)- Level ‘O’ and ‘N(A)’ level examination papers and understand and apply the basic principles of crafting the new assessment types. They will also understand the principles of levels of response marking and apply their understanding in marking selected scripts. For further enquiries, email: ng_niann_yeu@moe.gov.sg
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WHAT'S COOKING Professional Development Courses April to August 2018 Inquiry Based Learning - From Syllabus to Classroom Practices (NEW!) TRAISI Code: 22320 Date: 10 July 2018, Tuesday Time: 0900 - 1700 Venue: AST Synopsis of Course: This workshop allows participants to understand the syllabus intent and learn to integrate discussion-based strategies and/or case studies in lesson design. Participants will reflect on the teaching of concepts, content, skills and values in light of significant issues and tensions related to Social Studies education in Singapore. Note: This course is meant for participants who graduated from NIE prior to 2017.
Issues-based Seminar for Social Studies Secondary - Issue 3 TRAISI Code: 22640 Date: 2 August 2018, Thursday Time: 1430 - 1730 Venue: AST Synopsis of Course: This workshop provides a deeper understanding of the content related to Issues in the Revised Syllabus through examining perspectives in assigned readings and videos, which will then be discussed at the Seminar. For further enquiries, email: ng_niann_yeu@moe.gov.sg
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WHAT'S COOKING Additional Useful Resources
Interactive: ST Game of $urvival
Budget 2018: Together, A Better Future
Breaking down barriers: How young people and community groups work to build a cohesive society
A letter to our 4th Prime Minister
UK: 'Punish a Muslim day' letters probed by terror police
The Big Read: The foreigner issue - are we ready for a rethink?
The economy as a means to an end, not an end in itself
Singapore recalls all rockmelons from Australia as more listeriaaffected batches exported
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World Wide Web inventor: The web is under threat. Join us and fight for it.