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Humanities and Social Science Pedagogy

Learning is a process that involves acquiring knowledge, skills, and behaviors through experience or study. The process can be affected by a wide range of factors that include the kind of environment where the learning is taking place and the resources used for learning. Providing an environment that is conducive for learning is vital in ensuring that learners acquire new or modify the existing knowledge, skills, or behaviors (Serrat, 2017). Similarly, learning resources benefit learners by supplementing their learning process. School-based and community based learning resources supplement learning process by introducing, reinforcing, and expanding student learning. Due to cultural diversity in society, there is need to ensure that learning environment and resources meet the needs of different members of society. The resources should also enable acquisition of information about various aspects of the diverse society.

Complimentary Learning Resources in Humanities and Social Sciences

Complimentary learning resources are usually used to supplement learning process in different areas of study such as humanities and social sciences, languages, arts, health and physical education, and mathematics (Hauge & Dolonen, 2012). In this case, humanities and social sciences refer to important areas of study in Australia and other parts of the world because they focus on human behavior and interaction. The fields deal with the study of human interactions and behavior in cultural, social, economic, political, and environmental contexts. Ideally, humanities and social sciences exhibit contemporary and historical focus from personal to global perspectives while seeking solutions to current and future challenges. By studying humanities and social sciences, learners get the opportunity to think critically, question, solve problems, make decisions, adapt to changes, and communicate effectively. To think about and effectively respond to issues, it is necessary to first understand major societal, historical, economic, political, and geographical factors and the relationship between such factors.

The humans and social science subjects offer valuable information about the world in which people live and how individuals engage actively as informed citizens with the right knowledge and skills needed in the 21^st century. In Australia, some of the unique cultures that may need unique learning resources to learn about include the Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander cultures, which are a critical part of the country’s national identity.  Learning resources such as texts, library, educational software, eBooks, Google Maps, and videos play an important role in promoting learning amongst different groups of people. Other resources that are used for learning may include charts, chalk, instructional material, and duster. Some of these resources are found in a resource center. This is a facility within the learning institution with a specialist staff and different sources of information. Teachers use the resources to help students to meet the objectives for learning as set out in the curricula.

EBooks and Google Maps

EBooks and Google Maps can be valuable learning resources in the areas of humanities and social sciences. They give learners the opportunity to explore diverse perceptions of people, ideas, events, and places (Boss, Jones, McConnell, & Moore, 2018). Through such, learners develop understanding of the inter-dependent nature of society and the inter-relationships between and within human communities, economies, and the natural environment. However, it is important to note that before any learning material is put into use for learning, it should be evaluated and approved at local, regional, or national levels. The criteria used for evaluating the learning resource may include social and cultural considerations, developmental or age appropriateness, or curriculum fit.

First, eBooks are electronic books usually distributed as digital files that can be used on various compatible mobile or computer devices. The increased use of tablets in the country and other parts of the world has increased the demand and value of eBooks as learning resources. These resources are appropriate for learning because they can promote critical and creative thinking, be integrated with other learning resources, and are inclusive for a diverse group of students.

Critical and Creative Thinking

EBooks can encourage students to engage in higher order critical and creative thinking because the information that is presented in the resource usually elicits thinking beyond basic memorization and observation of facts. Similarly, Google Maps can enable learners to explore answers to different questions that involve posing questions, speculating, relational thinking, and doing analysis. Higher order critical and creative thinking are part of the general capabilities highlighted in the Australian curriculum. Critical thinking involves asking questions, establishing connections, and thinking about thinking (Wechsler et al., 2018). According to Collins (2014), critical thinking is displayed when learners are able to construct a reasoned critique or apply wise judgment in a given situation.

The information presented in eBooks can compel learners to be innovative, evaluative, and creative. On the other hand, Google Maps allow learners to create collaborative maps about phenomena in a way that suits their needs. Through such maps, learners imagine possibilities and interpret various aspects of phenomena under investigation. EBooks and Google Maps broaden learners understanding by enabling them to delve deeper into their areas of interest. They achieve this through analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of content presented in the resources.

Integrating Learning Resources

EBooks and Google Maps can be integrated by other resources to facilitate learning (Walker et al., 2011). For instance, as eBooks offer a valuable source of information to learners, teachers can use articles from various journals to update the information provided in the eBooks. In the same line, eBooks offer wider explanation and discussions on various issues that may be captured in other resources such as Google Maps and printed atlases. This implies that the eBooks can be integrated with alas, Google maps, and articles to facilitate learning.

Google Maps as learning resource presents a digital and interactive platform that can be used to further all the concepts that are learned from other resources such as eBooks and journals by presenting 3-dimensional view of geographical features, real time images and up to date data rather than the possibly outdated facts that have been printed in eBooks and atlases. Learners can get facts from printed sources while using Google Maps as a spatial tool that allow them work out how far features or phenomena under consideration are. Based on Australian Curriculum, the learning resources are supposed to enable learners to develop critical thinking by supporting the acquisition or modification of knowledge, skills, and attitudes in humanities and social sciences. Students should always think logically when they are testing explanations, thinking about questions, evaluating and using evidence from the sources, and when analyzing arguments.

Diverse Groups of Students

EBooks and Google Maps can be used by a diverse group of students (Rienties, Alcott, & Jindal-Snape, 2014). They are inclusive for a diverse group of learners. While the learning resources are supported by new technology, it can be identified that different groups of people including the traditional cultures are currently able to access digital technologies such as tablets that enable the use of eBooks and Google Maps as learning resources. It is worth noting that inadequate access to digital technologies may hinder the use of these resources among some groups of learners. However, for the groups of people or students who may have limited access to digital technologies, they can still take advantage of institutional or school libraries that often offer digital platforms through which learners can access eBooks.

On the other hand, learning activities that use eBooks and Google Maps can be diversified to meet the needs of individual learners. The complimentary resources can be applied in small collaborative group activities that are differentiated based on various aspects such as academic ability. Instructors and learners can use independent research, mini lessons, and guided inquiry as strategies for differentiation in classrooms and serving individual differences. EBooks can be designed for year and developmental levels to ensure that they are appropriate for student needs at different levels.

Conclusion

Following a discussion with peers and colleagues about the resources and observing the application of the resources in the classroom, it can be identified that eBooks and Google Maps can be valuable for learning in diverse educational settings. The resources have significant benefits for learners throughout the entire humanities and social science educational setting. The resources can be used at the foundation level to present simple information and maps of where people live across the country and also at advanced level where learners can learn a wide range of issues including factors influencing distribution of groups of people and human activities across the country and other parts of the world. For example, through the resources, students in the area of humanities and social sciences can explore their own identity, national identity in the global arena, and the country’s heritage and cultural diversity.