"The aim of Human Society and Its Environment is to develop in students the values and attitudes, skills,
and knowledge and understandings that:
❂ enhance their sense of personal, community, national and global identity;
❂ enable them to participate effectively in maintaining and improving the quality of their society and environment" (HSIE Syllabus, 2006, p. 8).
A holistic HSIE learning experience is achieved by exploring the content within the framework of values and attitudes, skills and knowledge and understandings. The links between the content areas is shown below.
(HSIE Syllabus, 2006, p. 9)
As all learning areas are linked, it is feasible to make the point that using an inquiry process underpins all of the learning experiences in the HSIE syllabus. This is essential as the world in which the students live is not confined to textbooks, it is changing around them. By engaging in inquiry based learning, students are constantly engaged in real, rich and relevant educational experiences that develop a myriad of critical thinking skills that enhance their independent and cooperative learnings. This idea is detailed in the syllabus, stating that "The inquiry process involves students participating in meaningful research related to important social and environmental issues. Students identify issues and problems, gather relevant information and organise this information in order to solve problems and take responsible action" (HSIE Syllabus, 2006, p. 12).
As a result of inquiry based learning, students will:- Develop investigation skills
- Engage in information gathering
- Synthesise and communicate findings
- Apply information and skills
- Reflect on learning
(HSIE Syllabus, 2006, p. 12)
Development of these skills within each content strand provides students with an increased level of intellectual quality, enhancing overall learning experiences.
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