Issues and Challenges of Teaching ‘Difficult Knowledge’ for Elementary Social Studies Teachers in South Korea

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Title ( eng )
Issues and Challenges of Teaching ‘Difficult Knowledge’ for Elementary Social Studies Teachers in South Korea
Creator
CHA Boeun
Source Title
The Journal of Social Studies Education in Asia
Volume 13
Start Page 41
End Page 56
Number of Pages 16
Journal Identifire
[PISSN] 24341797
[NCID] AA12857878
Abstract
This study aimed to identify which topics are challenging for Korean teachers to teach, the reasons behind these challenges, and their preferred teaching approaches. The investigation focused on the concept of difficult knowledge, which encompasses the emotional and affective aspects encountered by learners when tackling challenging subjects, as well as the practical knowledge possessed by teachers when instructing such topics. In-depth interviews were conducted with elementary school teachers majoring in social studies in Seoul and Gwangju, and a narrative case study was employed to qualitatively analyze the findings. The study revealed that the knowledge regarded as difficult for teachers to teach in South Korea is often intertwined with political ideology, including topics like the Gwangju Uprising, the history of sexual violence, and subjects related to sexuality, such as LGBTQ issues. Three primary characteristics of teachers who tackle these challenging topics were identified. Firstly, some teachers recognize the importance of these subjects but refrain from teaching them due to concerns about their students’ cognitive and emotional readiness. The second group of teachers chooses to address the “difficulty” by solely relying on textbook content. Last, there are teachers who actively seek to learn and expand their knowledge to effectively teach difficult topics. These findings shed light on the social context surrounding difficult knowledge, particularly in South Korea. The unique dynamics of South Korea’s relationship with North Korea make history topics linked to political ideology particularly challenging. Additionally, the culture of familism prevalent in South Korea significantly influences the education system. The common difficulty faced by teachers when teaching subjects related to sexuality and death is rooted in their own emotional experiences with difficult knowledge. These findings have implications for understanding the social and local contexts, considering appropriate student readiness levels, and enhancing teacher education for teaching difficult knowledge in the future.
Keywords
Difficult knowledge
Difficult history
Practical knowledge
Social studies teachers
Language
eng
Resource Type journal article
Publisher
The International Social Studies Assosiation
Date of Issued 2024-03-31
Rights
Copyright © 2024 the International Social Studies Association (ISSA) and Japanese Educational Research Association for the Social Studies (JERASS). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, transmitted, in any form, or by any means, without prior written permission from JERASS and ISSA, to whom all requests to reproduce copyright material should be directed, in writing.
Publish Type Version of Record
Access Rights open access