Digitalization of Social Science Education: Implication for the 21st Century Teacher

Education has undergone serious changes across the globe in the 20 th and 21 st Centuries, especially as a result of digitalization.There have been efforts through reforms not only to bring education to the door step of people in various nations but also to bring the needed transformation and development.The impact of digitalization is tremendous in the field of education.It is the force behind the changes taking place in higher education globally.The impact of the internet with its extraordinary store of knowledge is a breakthrough in this era.Social Science is a course that is designed to equip students/learners with relevant knowledge, attitudes, values and skills that will enable them function well in the society i.e. solve their problems and that of the society.The essence, of digitalization in social science education is to make prospective teachers effective in their subject areas in this 21 st Century. MEANING, NATURE AND SCOPE OF SOCIAL SCIENCESocial Science is a branch of science that studies the society and human behavior in it, including anthropology, geography, economics, history, political science, psychology, social studies and sociology.Kissock (1981) cited in Aholu (1990) Social science is defined as a program of study which the society uses to instill to the students, the knowledge, skills, attitudes and actions which they consider valid or important.All Kissock is convincing us is that, social science is more a less a medium through which the society transmits its norms and values to the younger ones which in turn, will help them function well in the society.Social science as an integrated and multi-disciplinary discipline is wide in scope.This is because it covers the activities of man in his ever changing environment. Teaching and Learning of Social ScienceThe Education axiom that when a learner has not learnt, that is the teacher has not taught is true and directly connected to the concepts of teaching and learning as a process of calculating the right values, attitudes, modern life, knowledge, long-life skill acquisition necessary to make individuals benefit Abstract: This study examines appropriate strategies for the digitalization of Social Science education in the 21 st century.It is a course that train teachers and its learners for proper integration and participation in the life of their community and society at large.Through its study, the learners are equipped with basic concepts and skills necessary for life in any organized community.And thus the equipped child or learners feels confident to solve his / her problems and that of the society.Digitalization promotes higher-order thinking skills in terms of knowledge acquisition, knowledge deepening and knowledge creation among students and teachers -a transition from lower order thinking to higher order thinking.Therefore the following points were considered in the study.Meaning, nature and scope of Social Science; teaching and learning of Social Science; importance of teaching and learning of Social Science; digital literacy for the 21 st century Social Science teacher; information, Media and technology literacy skills in the teaching and learning of Social Science in the 21 st century; and Instructional digitalization for the 21 st century classroom.