Action teaching is a style of instruction that aims to teach students about subject material while also contributing to the betterment of society. It is an educational counterpart to action research, a method Kurt Lewin first developed in the 1940s to address racial prejudice, antisemitism and other social problems by integrating social science with social action. Its proponents argue that letting students take action on social issues as part of the learning process deepens learning, increases student engagement and gives students a scaffold for future civic action.
Facts
Classification
Education LevelPrimary Education (ISCED 1) 1 Education LevelUpper Secondary Education (ISCED 3) 1 Education LevelBachelor or Equivalent (ISCED 6) 1 Education LevelMaster or Equivalent (ISCED 7) 1 Core ClaimAction teaching holds that combining subject instruction with real action on social issues deepens learning, increases engagement and builds a foundation for future civic action. 1 FAQs
What did the first action teaching lesson ask students to do?
Students role played responding to a prejudiced comment, using responses that research suggests reduce prejudice.
The first action teaching lesson, published in the journal Teaching of Psychology in 2000, had students role play scenarios in which one person makes a prejudiced comment and another responds. In one scenario, a student playing a middle-aged uncle at a family dinner makes an antigay remark, and a student playing another family member must respond in a way that psychological research suggests will reduce the uncle's prejudice. Two more students act as coaches who observe and give candid feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of the response.
Sources
1. Action Teaching (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationLead paragraph
Action teaching is a style of instruction that aims to teach students about subject material while also contributing to the betterment of society.
Origins of action teaching section
appeared in the journal Teaching of Psychology in a 2000 article by Scott Plous.
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Action teaching has been used in varied educational settings, including grade schools, high schools, colleges, universities, and online courses taken by undergraduate and postgraduate learners.
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