Issue-based inquiry as an instructional strategy in educating students for citizenship.

Date of Award

5-2006

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Master of Education (MEd)

First Supervisor/Advisor

Ms. Rahat Joldoshaileiva

Second Supervisor/Advisor

Dr. Bernadette Dean

Department

Institute for Educational Development, Pakistan

Abstract

The starting point of good citizenship is the ability of the child to become aware of his/her identity, right, and obligations in the community. Hence, the curriculum is a very important tool in creating awareness through relevant teaching methods. Social Studies thus, is a crucial subject in teaching citizenship education. There fore, inquiry is one of the most relevant instructional strategies, so as to allow students to question in order to become aware of issues that affect them as individuals, or as a nation, on a global level. Issue-based inquiry is an instructional strategy which can be used to promote active learning by encouraging students to investigate the problem by collecting information from different sources, analyzing and presenting the findings and identifying areas to take appropriate actions. The study was conducted in one of the private schools of Pakistan in a grade eight Social Studies classroom. A small scale classroom action research was carried out in order to study the implementation of issue-based inquiry. The action research, which I practiced, involved the process of formulating a general idea, conducting reconnaissance, making a general plan of action, implementation and evaluation. The cycle of action research that is planning, acting, observing and reflecting was followed in the process. The findings of this study indicated that by being involved in issue-based inquiry, students can develop inquiry skills and as in groups, the skills of working together are practiced. However, skill development is a gradual process, which demands deliberate teaching and substantial practice. For example, the students developed skills of collecting data from newspaper and textbook, but they still require more practice so as to become comfortable in these skills. Also, the knowledge regarding 'Kalabagh Dam's construction' and 'Environmental Pollution' was shared. However, students found the second topic more interesting and close to their level, whereas the former was considered as a 'political' and adult' topic, and they did not Want to associate themselves with politics.

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