Examining pedagogical approaches and learning challenges in social studies education for upper primary students in urban slum areas of Odisha

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to analyse the classroom observation and insight of the teachers during the social studies teaching-learning process at upper primary schools nearby slum dominated areas of Bhubaneswar and other urban centres of Odisha. The main focus of classroom observation was to discuss the problems of teachers and students during social studies pedagogical practices and process with regards to involvement of learners, use of different strategies, assessment and feedback practices, and assess the joyful learning, use of TLM and ICT integration in teaching-learning process. The data triangular method was used for theme-wise analysis of pedagogical process from three different characteristics of sample schools under study. It is found that teachers faced problem in communicating the content of social studies, rare participation of students in group activities, too meek to ask question and clear doubt in classroom even provided the freedom and opportunities to students, more specifically who belongs to socio-economic backwards area of slum students. It is suggested that teachers must highlight the connection between text and context and also they should provide space for articulation of thoughts of students in the classroom through various student-centric activities. The importance would be given to those teachers who are significantly dealing with the classroom situation in a democratic way by providing equal opportunity to all the students, more over to those who belongs to slums and underprivileged section of society.