Date of Award

3-1989

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Education

Department

Education

First Advisor

Gene Henderson

Second Advisor

Nancy Polette

Abstract

American government is the study of democracy. It is a subject which one would like students to be excited about and involved in. as young persons, and ultimately, as adults . Teaching methods determine student Involvement or level of class participation. As young people seem to thrive on action, it is important to consider the nature of the child and choose activities which encourage their personal participation. Role-playing and simulation give students the chance to learn about the government by participating in an active imitation of the system. These methods also give students a chance to add their own creative responses to the activity . Decision-making and the clarifying of values are carried out in an atmosphere which is non-critical and non-judgmental . The end product, or right answer is not pre-determined In simulation activities. It involves more of an inquiry-type approach, where students play their role in the system, and afterwards analyze the outcome of their behavior. In this curriculum students still participate in some of the more traditional activities, such as, note-taking, text-reading, lectures, etc., but they serve as the preparatory lessons containing information which will be used in the simulation or role-play; Students are able to use the information they learn immediately, instead of simply storing it away for a test at a later date.

This curriculum attempts to balance cognitive and affective learning experiences for students. There is often too much emphasis on teaching to the mind, but not to the heart. Simulation and role-playing are excellent methods to use because they provide a variety of affective experiences.

This curriculum was developed to be used with tenth-grade government students. It provides a specific set of goals and objectives, a list of sources for learning more about the simulation and role-play methods, several activities, and methods of evaluation.

This approach which proposes a more active kind of learning experience is intended to encourage more involvement on the part of students and hopefully more learning.

The best way to teach about democracy ls to model it in one's own classroom. Teachers should let the students decide, debate, analyze, portray. examine, dramatize, create, and after their conclusions, synthesize, for these are the activities of democratic behavior. This curriculum aims to give students the opportunity to practice skills which they will use throughout life in a democratic country.

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