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Scaffolding critical reasoning about history and social issues in multimedia-supported learning environments

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Abstract

This article advances a continuing line of research that investigates the potential of hypermedia resources and scaffolding for supporting problem-based social studies and developing critical reasoning. Our line of inquiry consists of a series of generative design experiments that informs problem-based curriculum development. Our findings suggest that expert guidance may be embedded into the learning environment to give students conceptual and strategic road maps that assist them in understanding the process of disciplined inquiry. However, our results also emphasize the difficulties in managing the cognitive challenges posed by ill-structured social problems and suggest limits to the embedded support that can be provided for complex thinking. Complex conceptual tasks may require spontaneous support that can only be provided by a skilled teacher. We suggest that embedded scaffolds may be used to support teachers by reducing the amount of spontaneous scaffolding they must do in an ill-structured environment and discuss other steps that might be taken to encourage problem-based inquiry.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Curriculum and Teaching at Auburn University, Auburn University, 5040 Haley Center, 36849-5212, Auburn University, AL, USA

    John W. Saye (associate professor)

  2. Department of Curriculum and Teaching at Auburn University, Indiana University, Indiana, USA

    Thomas Brush (associate professor)

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  1. John W. Saye
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  2. Thomas Brush
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Correspondence to John W. Saye.

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Support for this research has been provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Auburn University College of Education, and Auburn City Schools.

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Saye, J.W., Brush, T. Scaffolding critical reasoning about history and social issues in multimedia-supported learning environments. ETR&D 50, 77–96 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02505026

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