This document discusses community resources for teaching social studies, including museums, palaces, and caves. It provides details on several prominent museums, palaces, and caves in India and Kerala that can be educational resources. Museums house artifacts and exhibits that can supplement social studies learning. Palaces provide insights into history, culture, religion, and architecture of different time periods. Caves contain sculptures, portraits, and artifacts that help understand primitive people. Site visits enable hands-on learning about history and culture.

1. TECHNO PEDAGOGY ONLINE
ASSIGNMENT
Submitted to Submitted by
Miss. Sally Paul Simitha P S
Social Science Teacher Social Science Optional

2. PLACE OF HISTORICAL INTEREST
PALACE, MUSEUM, CAVES

3. INTRODUCTION
The study of Social Science as an integral component of general
education upto secondary stage of school education is considered crucial because it
helps the students to understand the society and the world in which they live. It also
enables them to view the socio – economic developments and changes in the context
of time and space and also in relation to each other. Besides providing essential
Knowledge and understanding to the student, the study of Social Science is
considered important for developing skills and attitudes necessary for their self –
development and for becoming effective and contributing citizens of a country.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Community provides ‘concrete’, ‘seeable’ and ‘tangiable’
resources which are extremely ‘dynamic’, ‘interesting’ and ‘meaningful’ for the
teaching and learning of social studies. It is not enough for a child to have
‘knowledge’ about the factories, farms, council sessions, museums and social
agencies etc. He must have the ‘acquaintance with’ all these. A community is a
child’s laboratory for having first hand learning about the ways of living. The
community with its rich and varied resources can enrich and supplement learning in
social studies. A well-planned programme can bring the school and the community
quite close to each other. A school cannot remain an ‘ivory tower’. Here we are
discussing about Museum, Palaces, and Caves.

4. MUSEUM
The Museum is an instrument of popular education is a twentieth
century phenomenon. A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of
artifacts and other objects of artistic, cultural, historical or scientific importance and
makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may permanent or
temporary. Children’s museums are institutions that provide exhibits and programs
to stimulate informal learning experiences for children. In traditional contrast with
museums that typically have hands off policy regarding exhibits, children museums
feature interactive exhibits that are designed to be manipulated by children.
THE SOCIAL STUDIES MUSEUM
A social studies museum transmitted any inform or any means
electronics mechanical photocopy selection and organization of materials into a
meaningful social science curriculum enabling the school could have their own
social science museum.
MATERIALS FOR A SCHOOL MUSEUM
1. Maps: Historical, Economic, geographical, Political, Social and Pictorial maps
of all countries.
2. Charts: Flow charts, Tabulation charts, Time charts, Relationship charts etc…
3. Models: Social studies museum should have models depicting dams and
projects, the Solar system, motion of earth, models of important structures,
and sculptures of great personalities.
4. Agricultural products: Rice, wheat, millets, tea, oil, seeds, fiber etc rocks,
stones and minerals can be collected and arranged after processing for
presentation.
5. Flag: Flags of different nations of the world may be provided with explanatory
notes.
6. Slide Album: Slides showing architecture, sculpture, painting, dancing, music
etc…
7. Reference Books: Provision should be made for good historical novels,
dramas, pictorial books etc…

5. 8. Time graphs: These may be provided to show the gradual and incidental rise
and fall of dynasties, the progress of rival powers, ideas and cultures,
personalities and movements.
CLASSIFICATION OF SOCIAL STUDIES MUSEUM
Varieties of institutions dedicated to preserving and interpreting the material
aspects of human activity and the environment. Sometimes museums are classified
according to the source of their finding (eg: state, municipal, private) particularly in
statistical work. They are:-
 General museums
 Natural History and Natural Science museums
 Science and Technology museums
1. General museums
General museums hold collections in more than one subject and are
therefore sometimes known as Multidisciplinary or Interdisciplinary museums.
Many were founded in the 18th, 19th, or early 20th century. Most originated in earlier
private collections and reflected the encyclopaedic spirit of the time.
2. Natural History and Natural Science Museums
Museums of Natural History and Natural Science are concerned with
the natural world; their collections may contain specimens of birds, mammals,
insects, plants, rocks, minerals and fossils. These museums have their origins in the
cabinets of curiosities built up by prominent individuals in Europe during the
renaissance and enlightens.
3. Science and Technology Museum
Museums of Science and Technology are concerned with the
development and application of scientific ideas and instrumentation. Like museums
of Natural Science and Natural History, Social Science Museums have their origins
in the enlightment.
Science Museums are particularly popular with children as wells as
adult and often provide opportunities for their visitors to participate through
demonstration models and interactive displays.

6. 4. History Museum
The term History museum is often used for a wide variety of museum
where collections are amassed and in most cases, are presented to give a
chronological perspective.
5. Art Museum
The art museum is concerned primarily with the object as a means of
unaided communication with its visitors. Aesthetic value is therefore a major
consideration in accepting items for the collection. Traditionally these collections
have comprised paintings, sculpture, and the decorative arts.
HOW TO MAKE MUSEUM MORE EFFECTIVE
 To arrange a exhibition
 Conduct a time activities in our museum
 Giving charges to student leaders to preserve and kept things in the museum.
 Arrange Inter school visit with the locality.
II PALACE
A palace is a grand residence, especially a royal residence or the
home of a head of state or some other high ranking dignitary, such as Bishop or
Arch bishop. Many historic palaces are now put to other uses such as Parliament,
museum, hotels or office building. In modern times, the term has been applied by
archaeologists and historians to large structures that housed combined ruler., court
and bureaucracy in “Palace culture”. Informal usage, a “Palace” can be extended to
grand residence of any Kind.
THE FAMOUS PALACES IN KERALA
1. Pandalam Palace
Pandalam Palace is the permanent home for the royal family of
Pandalam. It is situated on at the bank of river Achankovil. Although
most of the original buildings have vanished by flood and fires, a few
still remain which could be witnessed in the area among the newly
constructed buildings. There are two Palace complexes at present. The
first one is ‘Valiya Koikkal Temple’ and the other the ‘Kaipuzha
Temple’. The Vailya Koikkal temple is situated on the left bank of

7. Achan Kovil river and the Kaipuzha temple is situated about one
kilometer away from the first on the right bank.
2. The Krishnapuram Palace
The Krishnapuram Palace is a Palace and museum located in
Kayamkulam near Alappzha in Alapuzha district, Kerala in South
Western India. It was built in the 18th century by Anizham Thirunal
Marthanda Varma (1729 – 1758 AD), the Travancore Kingdom. It is
built in architectural style of Kerala with gabled roof, narrow corridor
and dormer windows, near the Krishna Swamy Temple at
Krishnapuram.
Among the many Kerala – style paintings seen in the Palace, a
distinctly placed Mural Painting is titled “ Ganjendra Moksham” of 154
Square feet (14.3m)2 size, which is said to be the largest such find in
Kerala. It is placed on the western end of the ground floor of the Palace.
The double edged “Kayamkulam Vall” is also on display here. The
Palace housed, in its courtyard, One of the for status of “Buddha”found
in Alappuzha District.
3. Kowdiar Palace
Kowdiar Palace in “Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala”, India was built
in1934 by Maharajah “Sree ChithraThirunal on the occasion of the Pallikettu
of his only sister. Maharani Karthika Thirunal Lashmi Bayi with Lt. Col.G.V.
Raja. After the constitutional Amendment of 1971, the properties and estates
of the royal family were portioned and divided equally among the branches of
the two Travancore Queens, Sethu Lakshmi Bayi and Sethu parvathi Bayi.
This Palace belongs to the heirs of Sethu Parvathi Bayi as it was built by her
son Maharajan Sree Chithra Thirunal
Kowdiar Palce’s architectural work is famous and has over 150 rooms.
The entry to this famous palace is restricted as it is a the private residence of
the royal family settled in Thiruvananthapuram.
4. The Koyikkal Palace
The Koyikkal Palace is a Palce situated in Nedumangadu,
Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala in South India. The Palace was built in

8. 16th century for Umayamma Rani of the Venad RoyalFamily. Umayamma
Rani was the regent of Venad between 1677 and 1684. The Palace is a double
storeyed building and built with traditional architectural style of Kerala. The
Palace is maintained by the Archaeologiccal Department of Kerala. There is a
Folklore Museum and a Numismatics Museum are working in this Palace
The exhibits in the museum contains rare instruments like
‘Chandravalam’, a small percussion instrument used in Ramakathappattu and
‘Nanthuni’, a small musical instrument made of wood and string used in
onappattu etc.
5. Hill Palace
Hill Palace was built in 1865 by the Maharaja of Cochin and is now the
largest Archeological museum in Kerala. The Palace was handed over to the
Government of Kerala by the Cochin Royal Family and in 1980, the palace
was taken over by the Department of Archeology and later converted into a
museum. It was opened to the public in 1986. The museum and its campus is
one among the popular shooting sites for Malayalam film industry. The Hores
cart gallery and weapon gallery are really amazing. The museum displays 14
categories of exhibits including crown and ornaments erst while cochin royal
family, paintings, sculptures in stone and marble, weapons, inscriptions, coins
etc.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANCE TO THE STUDENTS
 To understand the time period of kingdom.
 To understand the different cultures.
 To understand different religious believes.
 To understand administrative setup of that dynasty.
 To understand the artistic talent of people in that area.
 To understand the sculpture.
 To understand the agricultural activities.

9. III CAVES
A cave or cavern is a hollow place in the ground, especially a natural
underground space large enough for a human to enter. Caves form naturally by the
weathering of rock and often extend deep underground. The word “cave” can also
refer to much smaller openings such as sea caves, rock shelter, and grottos.
Throughout History, primitive peoples have made use of caves. Caving in India is
very popular considering the number of caves one can find here. Every state has a
number of caves worth exploring. There is the right mix of history, spirituality,
mystery, meditation and adventure in cave explorations.
CAVES IN INDIA
1. The Ajanta and Ellora:-
The Ajanda and Ellora caves are the most famous caves of India. They
are carved into the hillside rocks and are located in the north of Maharashtra.
One needs to see these caves to truly understand the magnificence of their
beauty and form. There are in all 34 caves at the Ellora. These date back to
the 6th and 11th centuries AD. There are 29 caves at Ajanta. These date back
to the 2nd century BC and 6th century AD. The caves at the Ajanta are all
Buddhist caves. However the caves at Ellara are amix of Buddhism,
Hinduism as well as Jainism.
2. The Elephantra:-
The Elephantra caves are located on an Island just off the coast of
Mumbai. There are inall seven ancient caves, which are hand curved out of a
single rock. These caves date back to 450 and 750 AD and are very ancient.
Out of all the caves, there is one main cave, which has many stunning large
sculptured panels. These panels depict the Hindu God, Lord Siva. One has to
take a ferry from the Gate way of India to reach these island caves.
3. Meghalaya:-
Meghalaya is one state of India, where the caving exploration
expeditions actually started. The place has many caves in almost all the nooks
and corners of its landscape. Scores of carves visit Meghalaya annually to
undertake caving expeditions. These caves are simply beautiful and awe
inspiring words fail to describe how magnificent these caves actually are

10. during sunrise and sunsets. One should definitely visit Meghalaya, the land of
beautiful caves.
4. Undavalli and Mogalarajapuram Caves:-
In the famous city of Vijayawada, one find the well preserved 7th
century dated undavalli cave temples. There is a quiet tranquility to the place
that is really unmatched else where. In the caves one can find many shrines
that are dedicated to the powerful Hindu duties like lord Shiva, lord Vishnu,
and lord Brahma. The Mogalarajapuram caves are an interesting find but they
are in the rains now a day but still worth a visit. However, these caves are very
famous for exploration and getting to know about their make and architecture
is very interesting.
WHY STUDENTS WERE TAKEN TO VISIT THEDE CAVES:-
 To understand about various caves in situated different part of country.
 To understand sculptural activities.
 To effectively utilize student time.
 To understand portraits in caves walls.
 To understand utensils used in that period.
 To understand the arms and weapons used by the primitive pupil.
IMPORTANT CAVES IN KERALA
Edakkal Caves:-
Edakkal cave Wayanad, Kerala is a nice trekking spot and an ancient cave.
The pre-historic caves known as the Edakkal caves, dating from at least 5000 BC,
hand been discovered on Ambukuttimala. There are Stone Age pictorial writings on
the walls of these natural caves. In late 2007, major effort had been initiated by
several archaeologists both Indian and western to have the UNESCO declare the site
of the Edakkal Caves a World Heritage centre.
There are seemingly different sets of works. The order groups of cave
paintings and engravings, going back at least 7000 years, depict pre-historic tribal
chieftains, elephants, queens and tools. A less ancient script from the 3rd or 4th
century BC is also seen in the complex of caves.

11. MERITS OF THE ABOVE
 They are the method of informal education.
 They are the method of activity centered method.
 They encourage creativity and curiosity among students.
 They are the various techniques to understand historical movements, arms and
amenity available in ancient time.
DEMERITS OF THE ABOVE
 They are the time consuming and expensive process.
 They consume the valuable time of teachers.
 Ignorance is another problem is faced.
CONCLUSION
The community can be a social studies laboratory where geographic,
historical, economic and other concepts that are conceit, Seattle and tangible
resources which are extremely ‘dynamic’ interesting and meaningful for the teaching
of social studies. In the process of education, the school and the community must
work together – there must be a co – operative and collective quest. The school must
enrich the community and the community supports the school. The latest slogan in
education in all the progressive countries is “Let us Study the community, Use the
community, Serve the community and Involve the community in the educational
process”.
REFERENCES:-
1. Social studies in the classroom Trends and methods, P. K. Sudheesh
Kumar, P. P. Noushad, Scorpio Publishers, Kerala.
2. https://en,wikipedia,org/wiki/museum.
3. https://en,wikipedia,org/wiki/place
4. https://en,wikipedia,org/wiki/caves