Researches about social studies shows that the most frequently expressed problems faced by teachers are as follows: textbooks, lack of physical conditions and teaching of knowledge skill-values. The teachers have claimed that the course books prepared by the private publishing firms are more detailed whereas the books prepared by Department of Education are more suitable for the structure of new program.
The habit of old system keeps going. There are questions asked in centralized examination qualifier that students from public schools cannot find in textbooks but the students from private schools can. It is well known that social studies program are based on information, skills and value perceptions. In this case, it is important that the concepts, skills and values, which are headstones of social sciences program, should be understood and acquired. However, the sad truth according to Social studies teachers is that values, concepts and skills included in social studies program are not usually acquired by the students. Some teachers also claim and criticized that they were not provided by teaching activity or method for teaching concept skill-value, most giving more importance on the function of social studies. Instructional materials plays an important role in teaching social studies, the use of educational technology must be implemented consistently. The use of laptops, projector through power point presentation, will cause easy access of learning on the part of the students. But because of its cost that is highly expensive, teachers cannot afford to have it once and for all. Social studies teachers usually practices traditional use of instructional materials that sometimes lessen the student’s attention on the lesson. As social studies teacher the biggest challenge is to caught their attention and strive to get their interest on the lesson and on the subject itself so that the retention of learning will last.
Teaching social studies requires deep appreciation and passion so that it will reflects to the students the information and skill you are trying to impart. The key word “interest” should be the primary goal of the teacher to challenge students to have their interest on the subject so that anytime, anywhere they will acquire knowledge and learning that will surely last a lifetime.
By: Ellen D. Baluyot, LPT
