Power of Place-Based Pedagogy: Theory and Practice of Place-Based Education
This senior thesis investigates the utility of place-based learning techniques and pedagogy to improve student engagement in historical inquiry, their local community, and enhance their knowledge of community resources and partners. Place-based learning is a term used to describe an educational worldview based on development of curriculum centered on the local social, economic, and ecological resources of a community. The hypothesis of this study is that if a curriculum relating to local history is consistent with place-based education principles and philosophy, there will be positive change in student, teacher, and community partnership perspective on their place in their community and their concept of history as a discipline. This thesis involves a literature review of educational theories, case studies, curriculum development at the Independent Day School and data collection techniques related to place-based education. This research examines the value in developing intentional and p