November 21 post

Technology in Social Studies Instruction (Ch.12)

I was very surprised to learn that of all the curriculum areas, Social Studies has likely been the most heavily affected by advances in technology. The reason is not because of software specifically designed for Social Studies instruction. In fact, the text explains that because social studies mostly falls by the wayside (due to the fact that it’s not usually included in statewide assessments), most technology resources are directed away from it and toward math and language arts (heavily tested curriculum).

Social Studies has been affected by technology in that students are more connected to the world around them and have a huge amount of information available to them. Many students are finding information online that is contradictory to the teacher and/or the text and are challenging what is being taught. I think that this is actually a good thing. It provides the opportunity for relevant discussion of social studies topics and students become invested in their learning. It also makes necessary deliberate instruction in information literacy. Much of the information available online has a heavy bias or is just downright wrong. Students need to learn how to examine information they find online and evaluate it for biases and erroneous information.

Technology can be integrated into the social studies curriculum in the following ways:
1. Simulations – designed to immerse students in problem-solving scenarios where they must apply what they have learned to make decisions and solve problems.
2. Graphic Representations – using graphing software and spreadsheets to help students analyze information and see trends more easily; timeline generators; and interactive maps
3. Virtual Field Trips – students visit sites via the internet. These can take the place of travel or supplement trips they do take by providing prior knowledge.
4. Student Telecollaborations – email and internet-based projects that allow students to work with more diverse people.
5. Digital Storytelling – using images and audio to tell the stories of lives, events or places.
6. Digital Information Critiques – analyze information for accuracy and bias
7. Electronic Research
8. GIS (Geographic Information Systems) – houses information about the surface of the earth and allows students to view, manipulate, and analyze that information
and
GPS (Global Positioning System) – geocaching (which I love to do)
9. Practice of Factual Information – drill and practice of social studies content such as states and capitals, important dates, maps, etc.