Teaching democracy – a complex object of learning
International Journal for Lesson and Learning Studies
ISSN: 2046-8253
Article publication date: 14 October 2013
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe a learning study with a complex object of learning – democracy.
Design/methodology/approach
The study consists of four research lessons in four different classes in grade 6. In the study two teachers, 78 students and two researchers participated. In the first lesson (A) 21 students participated, in the second class (B) 17, in the third class (C) 21 and in the last lesson (D) 19 students. The research lessons were 80 minutes each, designed based on variation. The students took a pre-test before the lesson and a post-test after.
Findings
The results show the relationship between the pattern of variation used by the teacher during the lesson and students’ learning outcome. In lesson A contrast was used between democracy and dictatorship. In lesson B the aspects were varied due to the discussions between the teacher and the students that resulted in less focus on the whole perspective. The design of lesson C offered students a sequential presentation of the aspects, the concepts were handled separately and simultaneity was not used. In lesson D the whole was in focus during the entire lesson and the aspects were presented simultaneously in relation to the whole. Group A's increased at the test scores was 63 per cent, B 32 per cent, C 29 per cent and D 91 per cent.
Originality/value
The results points at using learning study with complex objects of learning requires offering the relationship between aspects of the phenomenon presented by a background of the meaning of the concept develop the students’ understanding.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the participating teachers and students who generously shared their time and teaching. They would also like to thank the research team, Learning Design (LeaD), at Kristianstad University and Department of Pedagogical, Curricular and Professional Studies at University of Gothenburg, for encouragement and support.
Citation
Holmqvist Olander, M. and Sandberg, B. (2013), "Teaching democracy – a complex object of learning", International Journal for Lesson and Learning Studies, Vol. 2 No. 3, pp. 281-299. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLLS-01-2013-0005
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2013, Emerald Group Publishing Limited