Gamification and Game-Based Learning

Teachers can use game mechanics in a non-game environment (gamification), or they can consider playing a game as an option to learn content. In the first case, adding elements inspired by games to the classroom environment allows teachers to create a motivating atmosphere for the learning of social sciences, geography, and history. The second case is directly related to games that “teach” content through making decisions and observation of consequences. With a focus on elements, benefits, strategies, and some of the most important resources to introduce gamification and game-based learning in social science education, the authors highlight student motivation and learning of content and skills. Although gamification is not a new concept, it can be considered that the technological development and the recognition of its didactic possibilities have extended the educational experiences in a new way, contributing significantly to education.

Realitas Ilmu Sosial Pada Pendidikan Ilmu Pengetahuan Sosial

This study aims to see the extent to which social attitudes and roles in the education unit environment are provided and provided through Social Science Education in the Bethel Dadap Basic Education Unit based on the curriculum journey and in the current digital era. This study uses a qualitative method by using a document study instrument or can be called a literature study. The results of this study indicate that the tendency of gadgets to make students apathetic towards their environment is due to the influence of the use of technology media which is less assisted in addition to distance learning which causes students to use technology media more. With more assistance from parents and teacher direction, it minimizes the negative impacts that occur for students. Thus, students can continue to use technology media and interact with the wider community in the digitalization era with full awareness and indepth knowledge of how to use technology media properly and correctly, specifically in communicating with others.

Selecting Program of Study for Undergraduate Students in the Valley View University, Kumasi

The paper investigates the selection of courses of study by undergraduates of Valley View University, Kumasi. Data were collected from the school of social science education which focused on 10% of the total population, two hundred and ten (210). The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version. Findings of the study reveal that economic influence has been found the most important allied to the desired choice of the programme of study. Other factors include school, peer and gender influence. It further argues that, for students to have access to their preferred program of study, there should be E-learning, academic guidance, orientation and avoidance of family influence. The study further recommends that families should serve as guides and support their wards in the selection of courses rather than imposing various programmes on them due to reasons such as sustainment of family business. In addition, Ghana Education Service (GES) should inculcate guidance and counseling into the Senior High School (SHS) syllabus to enhance prior knowledge on the selection of course or programme of study in the tertiary institutions and organizations of career exploration activities to help them decide on the programme of study.

Social Constructivist Approach: Opinions of History Teachers at Intermediate Secondary Schools

<p style="text-align: justify;">This study investigated the influences of social constructivist approaches on history teachers' opinions of social science education. The purpose of the study was to examine the effectiveness of social constructivist approaches and explore the views and practices of teachers in their current use of teaching approaches in social science education. For this study, a qualitative study approach was employed. The study was conducted at intermediate secondary schools in the city of Erbil. For open semi-structured interviews, eight teachers of social science education were purposely selected from eight intermediate secondary schools of grade ninth, and eight social science classes were observed. The results revealed that despite significant changes of the system of education, many challenges were identified in implementing social constructivist approaches in social science education such as the environment of fear, the shortage of proper public infrastructure, lack of care, and resources. Also, the study revealed several barriers like absence of sufficient well-designed teaching guidelines, lack of adequate clear instructions, inadequacy classroom teachers' autonomy, and no freedom. Lastly, the study ends up by specifying several conclusions.</p>

SOCIAL SCIENCE STUDENT TEACHERS’ AWARENESS OF THE INTERTWINESS OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN MULTICULTURAL SCHOOL SETTINGS

This qualitative study is an exploration of final year Social Science education students awareness of the intertwined nature of Social Science as a subject and the role of social justice in the classroom of a democratic South Africa. This study finds that South African Social Science teachers interpret or experience the teaching of Social Science in various ways. In the South African transitional justice environment, Social Science education had to take into account the legacies of the apartheid-era schooling system and the official history narrative that contributed to conflict in South Africa. Throughout the world, issues of social justice and equity are becoming a significant part of everyday discourse in education and some of these themes are part of the Social Science curriculum. Through a qualitative research methodology, data was gathered from Focus Group Discussion (FGD) sessions with three groups of five teacher education students in two of the groups and the third having ten participants from the same race, in their final year, specializing in Social Science teaching. The data obtained were categorised and analysed in terms of the student teacher’s awareness of the intertwined nature of Social Science and social justice education. The results of the study have revealed that participants had a penchant for the subject Social Science because it assisted them to have a better understanding of social justice and the unequal society they live in; an awareness of social ills, and the challenges of people. Participants identified social justice characteristics within Social Science and relate to some extent while they were teaching the subject, certain themes within the Social Science curriculum. Findings suggest that the subject Social Science provides a perspective as to why social injustice and inequality are so prevalent in South Africa and in some parts of the world. Social Science content in its current form and South African context, emanates from events and activities that took place in communities and in the broader society, thus the linkage to social justice education. This study recommends different approaches to infuse social justice considerations Social Science; one being an empathetic approach – introducing activities to assist learners in viewing an issue from someone else’s perspective, particularly when issues of prejudice or discrimination against a particular group arise, or if the issue is remote from learners’ lives.

The Principle of Effective and Efficient Restructuring and the Future of the Nigerian Nation: The Role of Social Science Education

This study on ‘The Principle of Effective and Efficient Restructuring and the Future of the Nigerian Nation: The Role of Social Science Education’ examines critically the meaning of Restructuring and effective restructuring defining restructuring as a concept which connotes the act of re-organizing, re-arranging, re-planning all the existing institutions and structures in the society while effective and efficient restructuring is one which encapsulate Economic, Political, Social, Cultural Educational, Health structures and institutions of any nation for a possible new and better result for renewed development of man and his environment. The various types of restructuring in our society were outlined and briefly explained with particular emphasis and restricted attention given to Economic Restructuring. The role of Social Science Education in achieving all round restructuring projects for all round national development and sustained unity is holistically discussed. The issue of entrepreneurship is also highlighted as a positive step towards attaining Economic Restructuring. The paper concludes by asserting that functional and effective Entrepreneurship Education in a nation is a panacea for a sustained restructured economy and recommendations on how to better the process of all inclusive Economic Restructuring was proffered. Keywords: Restructuring, Economic Restructuring, Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship Education