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Index
The Big Picture
- Exploring Issues in the Big Picture
- The Big Picture
from a Time Management Perspective
- From the Big Picture Back to the Issues
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Exploring Issues in the Big Picture
How does the process of exploring
an issue fit into the big picture?
- For a quick answer, skip down to paragraph 4.
- For a fuller picture, read all four paragraphs.
- When you first looked at the course outline for this Social Studies
11 course, it may have seemed to be a history course. After all, the
first ten sections each focus on a decade in the life of Canada. Most
of the lessons that make up each section focus on an issue that was
important in the past. However, those issues are also relevant
today. By studying history, you will gain background knowledge
that makes you more able to think clearly about current issues
in an informed way.
- From another viewpoint, this course covers a range of social sciences,
and the themes span a range of issues—cultural, economic, environmental,
and so on.
- From yet another viewpoint, this can even serve as a learning skills
course that will improve your comprehension skills and study methods.
The lesson structure is designed to enable effective learning, even
for students who are not good readers. As well, the directions encourage
you to look over the projects, assignments, and practice tests before
you start a module or section so that you will be keeping your goals
in mind as you study. You are also encouraged to "take it further"
and apply your academic knowledge to life. In doing so, you will be
enhancing a key learning skill while taking a step toward being a better
citizen.
- From still another viewpoint, this course teaches how to explore
an issue. Each section gives repeated practice in a central skill.
Further practice in the skills has been woven throughout the course.
You will bring your skills together in projects, assignments, and tests,
as well as in your daily life. By the end of the course, you will be
able to use an effective set of steps with clear thinking skills—"critical
thinking"—to explore any issue.
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