Clarification details
Updated December 2020. This is a new document to summarise a common issue that has arisen from moderation across the Level 2 and Level 3 Social Studies internal standards.
Most internal standards at Level 2 and Level 3 Social Studies require students to explain more than one point of view, value and perspective. In the standards where the point of view requirement has a particular focus, further explanation has been included in the clarification document for that specific standard.
The following information further defines the terms ‘points of view’, ‘values’ and ‘perspectives’:
- Points of view are what people think about something (their opinion or attitude towards an issue, an action, or an event). A quote itself is not enough to show understanding. Students should first identify what the point of view is about, and then describe exactly what the person/group thinks about this issue, action or event. The quote is evidence to back up this explanation.
- Values are the reasons why someone might think a particular way about something. The explanation needs to link to the values or beliefs that have influenced the person/group’s point of view, and can come from such things as their role in society, their cultural or political beliefs.
- Perspectives/ideologies are what shape a person/group’s specific beliefs and values. They are the ‘big umbrellas’ under which people think a particular way about something. Discussion must involve more than just naming a specific, recognised ideology. It is important that the students can link the beliefs and values held by the person/group to a relevant ideology or belief system.
Scaffolding students’ work for points of view, values and perspectives
Students must use their own words, but it often helps to scaffold their work with prompts to:
- identify the person or group
- name the issue/event/action the person or group has a point of view on
- explain why the person/group holds a particular point of view
- explain how the person/group’s values/beliefs shape their point of view
- explain how perspectives/ideologies shape the person/group’s values/beliefs
- back explanations up with a quotation.