Social Studies Education Work and Personal Statement

Ronald L. VanSickle

The purpose of this page is to describe my social studies education work.

Education

Ed.D., Social Studies Education, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN,
1975

M.A.T., Political Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 1971

B.A.Ed., United States History, Ball State University, Muncie, IN,
1969

Academic Positions

Professor of Social Science Education, The University of Georgia,
Athens, GA, 1975 - present

Training Materials Developer, National Center for the Development
of Training Materials in Teacher Education, Indiana
University, Bloomington, IN, 1972-1974

Social Studies Consultant, Marion Community Schools, Marion, IN,
1971-1972

Social Studies Teacher, Marion High School, Marion, IN, 1969-1972

The Purpose of Social Studies Education

I believe the central purpose of social studies education is to teach people to use historical and social scientific knowledge to frame and make civic and personal decisions, such that they will be able to promote democratic social and political relationships and satisfy more fully their and others©ˆ basic human needs. Social studies education can provide an intellectual context that enables people to see the strong connections between the conditions, opportunities, and limitations of their personal lives and the historical social structures of the larger society. Such knowledge can provide the basis for making better decisions in one's private life and productive decisions as citizens in the public arena. This perspective characterizes my work developing instructional materials, conducting research, and preparing social studies teachers.

Selected Publications

Kim, H., Cheong, H., Hoge, J. D., VanSickle, R. L., & Kim, Y. (2001). Elementary moral education and social studies in South Korea. Social Studies and the Young Learner, 13, 11-13.

Son, B. & VanSickle, R. L. (2000). Problem-solving instruction and students' acquisition, retention, and structuring of economics knowledge. Journal of Research and Development in Education, 33, 95-105.

Diem, R., Levy, T., & VanSickle, R. (1997). "Korean Education:
Focusing on the Future," Social Education, 61(2), 83-87.

VanSickle, R. L. (1996). "Questions of Motivation for Achievement in
Social Studies" in B.G. Massialas and R. F. Allen (Eds.),
Crucial Issues in Teaching Social Studies K-12. Belmont, CA:
Wadsworth.

Stahl, R. J & VanSickle, R. L. (Eds.) (1992). Cooperative Learning in
the Social Studies Classroom. Washington, D.C.: National
Council for the Social Studies.

VanSickle, R. L. & Hoge, J. D. (1991). "Higher-Cognitive Thinking
Skills in Social Studies: Concepts and Critiques," Theory and
Research in Social Education, 19(2), 152-172.

VanSickle, R. L. (1990). "The Personal Relevance of the Social
Studies," Social Education, 54(1), 23-27, 59.