Program
Teaching M.A.
Year Approved
2022
First Advisor
Martin, Jill
Second Reader
JoEllen Ambrose;
Abstract
Critical thinking is a crucial skill which today’s K-12 students must develop in order to be engaged and curious global citizens. The social studies classroom is a proxy for democratic participation and therefore an exemplary setting to spark student critical thinking. This educator sought to discern the effectiveness of student-centered learning strategies as it relates to the development of student critical thinking. When educators adopt a social constructivist pedagogical practice, students are placed at the center of all classroom instruction and provided opportunities to assimilate prior knowledge with newly constructed knowledge. Research reveals that such a classroom setting pushes students to higher-order thinking, and truly develops their critical thinking skills.
Degree Name
Teaching M.A.
Document Type
Masterʼs thesis
Recommended Citation
Searles, B. (2022). Student-Centered Learning in the Social Studies Classroom: Effective Strategies that Build Critical Thinking [Masterʼs thesis, Bethel University]. Spark Repository. https://spark.bethel.edu/etd/844