Becoming Active Citizens: Practices to Engage Students in Civic Education Across the Curriculum (an Innovative Resource Geared to Transform Civic Education in the Classroom)

Reimagine civic education! This innovative resource provides practical strategies and technological resources for creating authentic, engaging learning experiences that empower students to participate in civic discourse and action. It examines the current reality of civic education in the United States and other democracies, identifies why change is necessary, and guides readers on how to spark interest and build skills for participating in a democratic society.

• Learn how to transform civic education to prepare students to become active and engaged citizens
• Discover how to weave civic instruction across the curriculum to create authentic, interdisciplinary projects
• Explore games and other activities that enhance student engagement and understanding of civics
• Receive lesson examples of effective civic instruction for various grade levels and subject areas
• Understand how to create opportunities for teaching democratic values through productive civil discourse

Contents:
Introduction
Part I: Civic Education in 2022
Chapter 1: Civic Education in 2022
Chapter 2: What Works in Civic Education
Part II: Modern Civic Education in Action
Chapter 3: The Power of Action Civics and Authentic Experiences
Chapter 4: Engagement in Civil Discourse
Chapter 5: News Media Literacy for Combating Misinformation
Chapter 6: Engagement Through Games, Simulations, and Competitions
Part III: Civics Lessons Across Subject Areas
Chapter 7: Civics Lessons for English Language Arts and Social Studies
Chapter 8: Civics Lessons for Science and Mathematics
Chapter 9: Interdisciplinary Civics Experiences
Epilogue
References and Resources
Index

Tom Driscoll is an author, speaker, and educational consultant for EdTechTeacher. He is a former digital learning director for the Bristol Warren Regional School District in Rhode Island, where he led numerous projects and initiatives related to the district’s digital learning transformation. Tom began his career as a high school social studies teacher in two public school districts in Connecticut. Leveraging his extensive experience leading professional development around educational technology, personalization, design thinking, project-based learning, and civic education, Tom partners with schools and organizations around the world to design and implement innovative, student-centered learning environments.
Tom has presented at over fifty regional and national conferences and has authored several publications, including chapters for instructional technology titles published by ISTE and IGI Global, and contributed articles to media outlets such as EdSurge, EdTech K12, and the New York Times. Tom was the recipient of the Rhode Island Department of Education’s Digital Learning Champion for Leadership Award in 2016. He also is a Google for Education Certified Trainer, Newsela Certified Trainer, and Microsoft Innovative Educator.

Shawn W. McCusker is director of professional learning at Digital Promise, a nonprofit dedicated to closing the digital learning gap in schools across the United States. Shawn has twenty-five years of experience as a teacher and leader in public, private, and alternative schools. He is passionate in his belief in student-centered, experiential learning and the power of student storytelling. He was an early innovator in the creation and organization of online learning communities via Twitter, such as #sschat and #1to1techat. As an expert in technology integration, his lessons and student products have been featured in the Journal, Educational Leadership, and the Huffington Post. In 2006, he was recognized as a finalist for the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. In 2016, he was named a Top Trailblazing Educator on Twitter by eSchoolNews.