Learning history in the 21st century

By Judi Allen / Sitting In

Malden Observer

Malden —

Glogging, blogging, Wordle, Pirate Pad, Voice Thread — what an amazing learning experience students have in the Malden Public Schools Social Studies classes. Students and teachers are utilizing 21st Century classroom technology skills and in some cases, even their cell phones to engage and interact with history. Students have an opportunity to learn in an inquiry-based environment where content, literacy, and 21st Century skills collide. This design inspires students and sparks their curiosity to pursue deeper study in areas of interest and in turn become increasingly active and knowledgeable citizens.

As director of the History and Social Studies Department, I have the opportunity to work with an enthusiastic group of talented teachers to create many project-based learning opportunities for our students. Let’s take a look at a few of these new programs.

One of our most exciting programs is our 21st Century Classroom Grant. Through this grant we have put technology into the hands of students and teachers. Teachers are showing students how to use technology to develop their understandings of the many complex topics, themes, decisions and events included in the history curricula. In Year 1, we started by providing professional development for teachers to develop our collective concept of the 21st Century classroom. This led to the creation of two 21^st Century classrooms at Malden High School where students have access to laptops and the most current technology on a daily basis. This technology engages students in the history content while helping them develop 21st Century skills. Students are also experimenting with a paperless classroom and have created virtual notebooks that are used to communicate and collaborate on-line. Thanks to the availability of this technology, our students are able to follow their interests and research beyond a single textbook while also experiencing history through a greater variety of media.

In Year 2 of this grant additional history teachers are participating in the first Malden Public Schools online course, Teaching and Learning in the 21st Century Classroom. This course was written by the teachers from Year 1 and the grant coordinators. As a result of successfully completing the course and implementing technology rich lessons, teachers will earn new technology equipment for their classrooms.

Want to learn more? See student work? Check out our site at historymalden.wikispaces.com. The Social Studies department has created an interactive site as a way for teachers to communicate, collaborate and promote the mission, goals and work of the entire Malden Social Studies department throughout the district. It has allowed the department to become more cohesive in the way we work together and enhance student learning and achievement through the use of technology and Web 2.0 applications. It is one example of how the Social Studies department is helping to create 21st century classrooms for all students.

In September we began our partnership with Greater Boston Model UN to work with grade 7 students across the district. In Model UN, students stepped into the shoes of ambassadors from UN member states to debate current issues on the organization’s agenda. We began with a Model UN simulation on a lively topic, school uniforms in public schools. After much debate and controversy students learned and applied UN protocols, and experienced first-hand how difficult it was to reach a resolution. The next simulation was on the topic of clean water, which began with a school-wide competition. The students who best represented their countries’ views on clean water, and proposed strong resolutions participated in our first district-wide Model UN simulation held at Malden’s Senior Center. The simulation was an all-around success resulting in high student engagement, possible resolutions on the topic, and important reflections. Middle school students really enjoyed meeting one another, even if it was for an academic purpose. Their excitement was captured and aired on MATV. This work will culminate in a regional Model UN competition at Northeastern University on the topic of the development of Haiti. This spring, high school students enrolled in Modern World History and AP World History will have a similar opportunity. Two history teachers will pilot a model UN program on the topic of HIV in Africa.

Another exciting program offered to students in U.S. History II and World History is National History Day (NHD). This is an innovative curriculum in which students learn history by selecting topics of interest and read, write, and research their chosen topic throughout much of the school year. Throughout the year students learn about their heritage and develop essential life skills by developing critical-thinking and problem-solving skills while fostering academic achievement and intellectual curiosity. This is a fantastic way for students to follow their interests and work on long term projects and presentations that include, but are not limited to; exhibits, performances, documentaries, web sites, papers and more. After presenting their research, the student, would then see for themselves the progress of their “own” learning throughout the year. Be sure to check our website for our NHD exhibit of student projects in the spring.

A program which contributes greatly to the Malden school community is Generation Citizen.

This year 8th and 9th grade history students are participating in Generation Citizen, which is a non-profit organization that promotes advocacy and action for urban students. College mentors, teachers, and outside partners work with students in a collaborative setting. Students are learning about their community and becoming skilled in the areas of democracy, governmental process, public policy, advocacy, and action. Currently students are in the process of planning, troubleshooting, and implementing a community-based project to combat a local social issue that each class democratically chooses. Once again these projects will be shared with the community this spring, if spring ever arrives! If you can’t wait till spring, check out last year’s projects historymalden.wikispaces.com/GC+Student+Work.

Check our wikisite for these and other interesting programs, clubs, and projects in the Social Studies department:

· Sixth Grade Project Based Unit on Micro-Entrepreneurs, “How are Women Micro-Entrepreneurs in Developing Countries Changing their Communities?

· Discovering Justice, a program that ‘connects classrooms and courtrooms

· The Mock Trial program is a statewide competition run by the Massachusetts State Bar Association. Malden Mock Trial team is in its second year and is composed of 20 junior and senior students. maldenmocktrial.wikispaces.com.

· Student Government day is a program put on by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Every year high school students from across the state are “elected” by their schools to represent them in Boston at the State House where the program is held.

· Salemwood School, grade 4 students are participating in the “Young Audiences Program,” which integrates the arts and social studies.

The Malden Public Schools History and Social Studies Department is fully committed to the development of the next generation of thinkers, leaders, and active, informed citizens.

Judi Allen is the director of History and Social Studies K-12, for the Malden Public Scho

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