social studies education

May 10, 2022

The Action Research Podcast: Teaching Inquiry and Action Research with Dr. Meghan McGlinn Manfra

NC State College of Education Associate Professor Meghan Manfra discusses action research and the process of integrating with the teacher community.

Apr 4, 2022

The New Republic: Why Teachers are Afraid to Teach History

Founded in 1971 initially to bring high school students on trips to Washington, D.C., Close Up encourages “deliberation” on heated policy questions as a way of helping students build consensus. A study of its model, published this past summer by professors at North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina Greensboro, found that high school students felt more respected in classroom political discussions designed as deliberation rather than debate.

Jan 13, 2022

K-12 Dive: Study: Analyzing Historical Data Can Promote Problem Solving in Social Studies

A study by Associate Professor Meghan Manfra, suggests students can develop problem-solving skills by analyzing historical data — enhancing not only their computational thinking, but also understanding of social studies concepts.

Jan 6, 2022

This is How Students Can Learn Problem-Solving Skills in Social Studies

A new study led by Associate Professor Meghan Manfra offers lessons on how social studies teachers could use computational thinking and computer-based resources to analyze primary source data, such as economic information, maps or historical documents.

Nov 10, 2021

Associate Professor Meghan Manfra Will Use Library of Congress Grant to Develop Skills Ladders to Help Teachers Use Primary Sources in Classrooms

Associate Professor Meghan Manfra is addressing the need to support students as they engage in historical inquiry with primary sources through a new grant from the Library of Congress.

Oct 5, 2021

Dining with Democracy

Join us for an evening of discussion about contemporary issues facing the American public. Participants will be guided through facilitated, roundtable activities that will allow them to do something fairly…

Aug 11, 2021

The Wall Street Journal: Civics Education in Schools Gains Steam

Associate Professor of Social Studies Education Paula McAvoy says political polarization will likely make it hard for schools to adopt the Educating for American Democracy Initiative's recommendations.

Jul 27, 2021

Political Discussions Focused on Consensus More Comfortable, Less Divisive for Students

A study led by Associate Professor Paula McAvoy, Ph.D., found more U.S. high school students felt respected in a political discussion designed as a deliberation.

Jun 7, 2021

N.C. Council for the Social Studies Student Teacher of the Year Talia Laing ’20MAT Hopes to Facilitate Diplomatic Discussion and Create Opportunities in Her Classroom for Students To View Historical and Contemporary Issues from Other Perspectives

As an undergraduate student studying archaeology, Talia Laing ’20MAT had the opportunity to participate in overseas excavations, which magnified her love of history. She plans to bring those experiences into her future classroom, teaching students how to learn history from different angles -- a philosophy that helped earn her the 2020-2021 N.C. Council for the Social Studies Student Teacher of the Year honor.

Apr 20, 2021

Articles from Associate Professor Meghan Manfra Highlight Professional Development, Digital Instruction Challenges for Social Studies Teachers During the Pandemic

Associate Professor Meghan Manfra, Ph.D., has always believed in the importance of considering teachers’ insider knowledge. Her recent work with Wake County Public School System teachers is highlighted in two recently published articles that showcase professional development work and the challenges in delivering high-quality digital instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic.