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If I memorize all parts of a carburetor, does that make me a mechanic? Does memorizing all the parts of a body system make me a doctor? If I can recite chapter and verse all the elements of a lesson plan or behavior management strategy, am I a teacher? Of course not. What makes someone a mechanic or doctor? Mastery of knowledge? No, mastery of the application of knowledge. Simply knowing information is not sufficient, knowing how to apply that information, with ample practice, is what makes someone a mechanic or doctor. What makes a teacher is the ability to help students learn to apply that information.
So, what does this have to do with civic engagement? Everything! Research shows that many youth (and adults) cannot identify major historical figures or institutions. This, while saddening, is not the shocking part. With access to data literally at our fingertips, what gives me more pause is the fact that youth cannot explain the cause or effect of these institutions or historical figures, or how they relate to students' lives today. That is something that Siri or Alexa cannot answer for me. Mastery of content is not the end goal, but rather how we apply that knowledge must be. Content must be the vehicle that we use to foster a greater understanding of how the past has helped determine the present and informs the future. Having all the knowledge in the world is useless if one is not able to use that knowledge in a meaningful way. Research also shows that the more students engage in simulations of the democratic process, the more likely they are to be civically engaged adults.
In our work with districts and schools to more intentionally infuse civic awareness and engagement across the curriculum, we've worked to fundamentally shift the context for teaching and learning. By using examples and data that are readily relevant to youth, teachers address the, "Why do we have to learn this?" question that we've all faced. In history classes, the concept is relatively easy. Rather than teach a lesson where students memorize and recall Martin Luther's 95 Theses, students can learn them, investigate and discuss them. Students can debate the idea that Martin Luther's posting of the 95...