E CONTENT AND METHODLOGY OF TEACHING SOCIAL STUDIES

1. Describe the aims, objectives and values of teaching social

studies in high schools?

Ans. Education was to develop the body and soul harmoniousley to

their fullest. However al thinkers have agreed that the most
laudable aim of education should be the building up of ethical
chracter in the pupil.

We should lay down certain general aims for edcuation that every
subject taught in the school should contribute to achievement of
these genaral aims.

The objectives of teaching social studies

The general aims of teaching the social studies may be

he

• The enrichment and development of the lives of pupils to the

greatest extenwt of their abilities and powers within their
enviornment

• The training of pupils to take their places in democratic

society in such a way as to make their country a better place
in which to live.

• In order to accomplish these aims of the social studies, certain

specific objectives must be laid down and achieved.

The author put them in to five groups

1. Acquisition of knowledge: A certain amount of definite

knowledge is essential to good citizenship. Exact
knowledge and understanding contribute directly to social
progress because they are necessary for clear thinking
 and reservatio of judgement. Thinking in turn, may lead to
the solution of the many problems of modern civilization.
Knowledge also furnishes a basis for sympathy and
understanding which are necessary for social intercourse
and social solidarity.

2. The Development of Reasoning power and critical

Judgement. The power of reasoning is closely related to
the acquisition of facts because, the former cannot be
trained without a grasp of facts. The acts must be so
organised as to for clear associations, which consititute
the basis for reasoning.

3. Training in Independent study. The training in

independent study will instill in the pupil a habit or
method which will remain long after most of the factual
information is forgotten. This is an important aim of
teaching. The teacher must devote time for practising the
pupils in the mehtods of study and these methods must
be made functions. During the early part of this process
the pupils may show greater dependence on the teacher,
but gradually this dependence will reduce.

4. The formation of habits and skills: Development of habits

and skills constitues an important part of the work in the
social studies. Habits is defined

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