Integrating Technology 1
Hannah Thomas
Educational Technology section: 10
Professor Kuo
2 November 2007
Integrating Technology in Social Studies Education
The article “The Role of Technology in Social Studies Education” discusses the importance of using the internet to teach various topics in social studies education. This is an important tool to use according to the article because teachers can find pictures and information to help enhance their PowerPoint presentations. The students can also integrate information retrieved from the internet into their own projects. This will help students develop the ability to practice a deeper understanding of history, rather than just remembering historical events. Using the internet also allows social studies teachers to post information on their websites so that students can still access the information even if they are at home. Another important aspect of this article was that teachers now have the ability to post their lesson plans on their websites, which benefits their students. This gives students the opportunity to learn about what is going on in class before they actually go to class. Using technology, such as the internet, allows students to have a deeper understanding of social studies because it allows them to perform research and learn on their own.
The article “Technology for the Preparation of Teachers” explains that teachers must be trained to use technology in the classroom. If teachers are not trained they will not be able to utilize the technology they have available to them. Teachers are now expected to meet certain criteria so that they can accurately teach their students the use of technology in the classroom. The requirements they have to meet are called the Educational Technology Foundation Standards. Teachers should also have the ability to integrate applications of technology within their daily lessons to support their content areas. The use of technology within their lessons should also maximize student learning. It specifically states that social studies teachers of all levels should be able to guide their students in the use of various technologies to support the facilitation of problem solving as well as using technology to do research. According to this article the ultimate goal for teachers is to make their students competent users of technology by integrating technology into their curriculum.
The article “Rewiring the History and Social Studies Classroom” discusses why technology is used in social studies education. The use of technology has become important in this field of education because many students lack knowledge about history. In the past social studies teachers expected students to memorize facts, years, and events, but this does not allow students to retain large amounts of information. Technology now enables students to become active learners, instead of just memorizing facts. Technology in this field also promotes more critical thinking on the students’ part instead of just memorization. One successful form of technology being used in this field is inquiry-based learning. Inquiry-based learning utilizes CD-ROMS and The World Wide Web, which utilizes all types of learning. Technology is usually used to provide a deeper understanding to the students. Another important idea presented was that technology should only be used if it is going to enhance the learning experience. Technology should be integrated with traditional ways of teaching to give students the best understanding of social studies concepts.
References
Bass, R. & Rosenzweig, R. (1999). Rewiring the history and social studies classroom: needs,
frameworks, dangers, and proposals. Journal of Education, 181(3). 488-499. Retrieved from Professional Development Collection database.
Bennett, L. (2001). Technology for the preparation of teachers. International Journal of
Social Education, 15(2), 1-104. Retrieved from Ohio Link database.
Staley, D. J. (2000). The role of technology in social studies education. International Journal of
Social Education, 15(1), 1-127. Retrieved from Ohio Link database.