SOME METHODS OF TEACHING SOCIAL STUDIES AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES By Dr.U.A.Ajidagba & Mrs. H.T.Yusuf.

Inquiry Methods These methods, like discussion methods are particularly appropriate for use in history as well as in social studies classes. They allow students to deepen their understanding of ideas, issues and wants by having to examine and interprete them in a formal way. The inquiry methods require the teacher to involve the students in activities of investigation, collection and the understanding of information. The information is used to answer questions, discuss issues or to solve problems that have been identified in the class. The pupils seek outside the classroom for opinions, facts and data that will help them to understand as the question or problem that has been presented. The teacher should assist the pupils to know where to get the necessary information, how to collect the data and also what to do with the gathered information so that it can help in solving the problem. The teacher is to help the pupils to identify the problem, issue or question that is to be discussed and to assist in gathering information for the study. The name "inquiry" given to this method is as a result of the collection, classification and analysis of the information gathered. The methods can promote skills of observation, information gathering and, dialysis of the information. They encourage students to be objective and to see varied dimensions and aspects of ideas or problem. The inquiry methods give a foundation for students to understand what is involved in making a decision or arriving at a conclusion about a body of facts that have been collected. Pupils gain necessary experience in understanding the operations of events, people and society. Some of the many kinds of inquiry that are most appropriate for secondary school opinion polls, interview, questionnaire and field trips. Pupils can practice simplified forms of these methods, each of which can be conducted in a sophisticated way as in done in adult society. This activity will prepare them for more complicated forms of inquiry methods in future and lay a foundation of Understanding for the scientific approach to information. Advantages (i) Inquiry methods are self rewarding. Pupils discover the facts as their own. (ii) The pupils are actively involved in the assignment (iii) The pupils are rewarded by being motivated. (i v) The students remember longer because they discover the facts on their own Disadvantages (i) Inquiry methods are often time consuming (ii) They are expensive in the sense that many resource materials are needed (iii) They are not suitable for all lessons

Assignment Method Is the method in which teachers assigns certain sections of the text book t o students as homework. Normally the teacher would require the students to read the assigned section and provide answers to the questions that follow. The answers provided by the students will form part of the next lesson. The teacher will call on each student to read out their answers to the questions. The modem concept of textbook assignment method

is intended to find out the level of students understanding of concepts taught. The purpose of the exercises is to induce students to find out more information to argument those taught in the class

Discussion Method Discussion can be seen as talking over something from various points of view. It usually involves a group of people in a classroom setting. Discussion is an interactive process involving the teacher and the student or among the student themselves. In this case, a problem or topic for the lesson is presented for discussion while the teacher helps to direct the student views towards this objection of the lesson. Discussion method is different from lecture method, while lecture method is a oneway flow of communication from the teacher to student. Discussion method involves new triple flow of communication from and with the members of the class. Discussion method encourages students active participation in the class. Students generate varieties of ideas, which will lead to the solution of the problem while the teacher moderate. For a successful implementation of discussion method, every student should have background knowledge of what is to be discussed; otherwise, it will become a waste of time which may lead to lack of interest in the student. In other words, using discussion method to teach a topic, the students have no knowledge what will make the class count production. Discussion method promotes meaningful leaching leaning of economics.
Planned Discussion This method is like the assignment method where students are assigned topics to read and provide solutions to some given tasks. The report is discussed In the classroom and such reports required the participation of all students in the class and the teachers carefully plan on the handling of the discussion. The teacher must handle the class discussion democratically. Group Discussion Group discussion can be planned by the teacher in order to get the students to interact with each other or to work together to achieve certain goals. This can be done in two ways: we have the whole class discussion or .small group discussion. In the whole class discussion, the teachers arrange the class either in a circle, semi circle or square with him/her at the centre and all the students facing him/her. This is usually done so that the teacher from his/her vantage position in the centre can see and encourage all class members to participate actively in the discussion. On the other hand, the small group discussion requires the teacher breaking the class into small groups often students per group. The purpose being to ensure that issues or topics are effectively discussed, each group is normally made to choose a leader. The leader directs the course of the discussion while the recorder jots down all point discussed. The teacher is expected to find a helping hand to students discussions . At the end of the discussion, group leaders or recorders give their summaries for the class.

Advantage of Discussion method It enables the teacher to have better knowledge of his student abilities and attitudes. Students are given opportunities to express their own view on issues. It afford them opportunity to be corrected when they make mistakes. It can lead to development of leadership qualities. It enhances individual thinking and brain storming It develops in students self control It helps to develop self reliance, tolerance, respect for other people's opinion and leadership skills. Discussion method aids in problem solving. Disadvantages of Discussion Method Discussion are uninteresting when topic are unfamiliar It takes a considerable length of time because each student will be given opportunity to contribute to the discussion. It does not favor students with low language ability and the introverts Suggestion for Effective Use of Discussion Method Topic for discussion should centre around those in which student have requisite background knowledge. The teacher should avoid a situation whereby a student or few students take over the class discussion The teacher should encourage student effort by giving positive reinforcement in form of praise for a good intellectual contribution, while also rejecting irrelevant comment and questions. Role Play Method Role-playing is an activity presented during a lesson to show a specific issues or situation for study and discussion. In role-playing, there is usually no prepared script to be memorized, it does not involve elaborate preparation and there may be no rehearsals. Planning a role-playing involves selection of a problem or issue of interest and students simply act the roles intended to portray by the play. Students are allowed to select the roles they will like to play. Roles must not be forced on any students. It is important to discuss the role-play after presentation. Asking relevant questions in order to highlight the learning characters. Role-playing is useful for development of positive attitudes towards social issues and modifying the behaviours of learners. It also helped to develop students vocabulary and the skill of expressions. The main disadvantage of role-playing is stigmatization of students who play negative roles. Resource Persons Method One invaluable method of teaching economics is the use of resource persons. They can be drawn from individuals within the community who have good knowledge or adequate information on particular topics either as professional or through practical experience. The resource person is expected to explain certain topics to the students

as an expert with specialized knowledge in that aspect. This motivates and enriches students of economics and other related subjects in Schools. Examples of resource persons in the teaching of economics are artisans, economists, banker, tax collectors, e.t.c.
Advantage of Using a Resource Person i) This method of teaching is fascinating to children who are usually exerted to see professionals like bankers, experts in international trades, artisans coming to speak to them on economics concepts. ii) This also motivates and sustains the interest of the students in the subject iii) It exposes students to broad knowledge of subject matter when experts on certain fields give them first hand information which the teacher might not have included in his own teaching. iv) Information from resource persons are usually more current and authentic than those contained in textbooks. Disadvantage of Using a Resource Person i) The time may not be sufficient for the resource person to exhaust the information he has for the students. The time allocated to him may encroach on another lesson and create problems. ii ) Sometimes, getting an appropriate resource person can be difficult iii) The resource persons may also disappoint the school by not turning up iv) The teacher puts in so much to get the resource person to agree to come v) The resource person might not have the requisite pedagogical skills for handling enthusiastic children and this could mess him/her up.
Field Trip/Excursion Method

Field trip is any activity carried out by a group of learners outside the classroom under a close supervision of the teacher. It involves taking students outside the classroom setting to have first hand experience of what happens in our environment or real life situation. Field trip/excursion provides outdoors experiences and observations from which the students learn. It could cover a few hours and could last as long as a couple of weeks. Field trip could take the form of a mere walk from the school to public places of interest such as the kings' place, railway station, airport and post-office all within the neighborhood Experiences acquired during field trip are usually long lasting and cannot be easily forgotten by the students. In preparing for a field trip, the purpose must be clearly stated; permission must be obtained from the school authority, parents and the place of visit. If a trip will last more than one day, adequate preparation must be made for accommodation, feeding and other facilities. It is also essential to take along a first aid box. The teacher must carefully supervise the student during the trip. The assistance of a guide is also needed. After the trip students should discuss and report then findings. Field trip/excursion provides opportunities for direct observations and develops the skill for keen observation in the students. However, it is time consuming; it could be expensive and disruptive especially when the field trip lasts several days. What are the importances of using resource person to teach

economics?
Advantages of Field Trip. Field trip provides the student with the opportunity of having first hand knowledge of happening in our environment. It helps to generate and sustain student interest in the subject. It aids retention of information since the experiences are long lasting It can help the student to develop interest in certain professions Disadvantages of Field Trip It may be a waste of time and resource if not well planned It is externally difficult to carry out especially when it requires long distance Accident may occur in the course of field trip. It results in extra financial expenses on the part of the school parents and even the students Discipline among students may be eroded if care is not taking Suggestions for the Effective use of Field Trip The economics teacher should first discuss the idea of a field trip with the school management He/she should write the Chief Executive/Managing Director, if it involves organization/industries for permission to visit. He /she should discuss with the students the aim of the trip, their involvement and what they need for the trip. The student should be informed about the guiding rules of the place, dangers, what to look out for and how to report their observation. The teacher should carry along first aid box in case any of the students sustain minor accidents. The teacher should make accurate transport arrangement and lodgment in case the trip will last more than one day. After the trip, examine the student on the specimens and information collected from the trip. This has to be in connection with the report of the trip in order to facilitate relation of the experience from the trip.