Authentic Intellectual Work

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Authentic Intellectual Work in Social Studies

Authentic intellectual work is not a new topic in the field of education. In fact, it was first introduced in nineteen eighty eight and has since been studied, modified, and revised by a variety of educators striving to improve American education and restructure the American educational system. In this paper, I will focus primarily on authentic pedagogy within the social studies classroom, the criteria for achieving authentic intellectual work, the impact on student achievement, and a slow but meaningful shift in educational practices.
Discussion
When most people describe their experience in a social studies classroom, they describe a classroom that is focused on rote memory and recall, lectures, …show more content…

In an effort to reform schools based on those principles, a collaborative project was conducted during the 1998 - 1999 school year to evaluate professional development for authentic pedagogy. Teachers who participated in the APSS Project significantly enhanced their ability to create more tasks that require students to construct knowledge, engage in disciplined inquiry, and make connections to the world beyond the classroom and the school (Palmer, 1999). In truth, improving the quality and frequency of authentic intellectual work offered to students is not a set of skills and a knowledge base that can be given to a teacher in a day or two of training; It is a way of thinking and teaching that develops through years of practice (King, 2016). Therefore, it is necessary to provide teachers with the proper support and resources to implement authentic pedagogy. Teachers also need reassurance through student achievement. Several studies have shown an increase in student achievement on standardized tests with students who participated in authentic intellectual …show more content…

Almost all lessons will contain a degree of uncertainty, and it is important for the teacher to be able to assess student work accordingly. All lessons should challenge the students with higher order thinking, connectedness to the real world, and the opportunity to arrive at a supported conclusion. The design of the lesson is an integral part of the success of authentic intellectual work and provides an excellent opportunity to meet the needs of a diverse group of learners. The C3 Framework which was published in 2013 by the National Council for the Social Studies also supports authentic intellectual work and integrates the Common Core State Standards for literacy in social studies. Therefore, authentic intellectual work is not intended solely for social studies. The framework for authentic intellectual work can be used in any subject. Through school wide restructuring, authentic intellectual work can provide a foundation for increased student achievement in all subject areas and a shift in pedagogical practices. With the proper support and implementation, this restructuring would encourage teachers to reflect on their professional practices and collaborate with their colleagues for improved teaching and learning. Reflection and collaboration are both important aspects of authentic pedagogy by

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