Dr. Kathy Swan, College of Education, U. of KY
eSchool News reported on the new social studies curriculum published by Pearson — starring Kentucky’s own Dr. Kathy Swan. Dr. Swan is Associate Professor of Social Studies at the University of Kentucky. Besides her research and teaching, she serves as the advisor for the Social Studies Assessment, Curriculum, and Assessment Collaborative (SSACI) at the Chief Council of State School Officers (CCSSO) and was the project Director/Lead Writer of the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards.
The curriculum focuses on project-based learning in the social studies classroom. Pearson has announced that it is available now for pilots and for implementation in fall 2015. The new social studies programs are “American History” for middle schoolers; and “World History,”“United States History,”“Magruder’s American Government” (which includes the Civic Action Project) and “Economics” for high schoolers.
The new programs emphasize the use of digital content but also uses print resources. The curriculum includes myStory videos which were, according to the eSchool News article, “developed to help students make personal connections to people and places all over the world.” Educators will also have access to NBC Learn’s library of more than 17,000 education videos. Students research their projects then extend their understanding by applying what they just learned in quick recap exercises as well as through formative and summative assessments.
The nonprofit, non-partisan Constitutional Rights Foundation collaborated with Pearson to develop Civic Discussion Topic Inquiries for all of the new programs.
Kentucky Association of Teachers of History 