Technology in the Social Studies Classroom

"Effective integration of technology is achieved when students are able to select technology tools to help them obtain information in a timely manner, analyze and synthesize the information, and present it professionally. The technology should become an integral part of how the classroom functions -- as accessible as all other classroom tools."
-- National Educational Technology Standards for Students, International Society for Technology in Education

Technology integration means viewing technology as an instructional tool for delivering subject matter in the curriculum already in place. It involves students constructing their own learning while using both hardware and software tools and allows for student-centered approaches for both teacher and student. www.techlearning.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=17701367

Why Integrate Technology?

· Technology is the environment of our students.

· Technology is in their homes and around their neighborhoods.

· Technology integration promotes project-based learning.

Technology integration begins with selecting the appropriate tool for the task. To do research, students might use the Internet. To teach what they are learning in class, students may create Web sites. To demonstrate their projects, students may create multimedia presentations and present them to their classmates, parents, and community.

Technology integration is the learning and the task they have to accomplish that drives the use of technology in the language arts curriculum. The essential question or the project motivates the students to ask for multiple tools -- pens, paper, computers, the Internet, etc. -- that will help them to research, write, and present.

Technology integration is the use of technology resources -- computers, digital cameras, CD-ROMs, software applications, the Internet, etc. -- in the everyday practices of a classroom. The transparent use of these tools demonstrates integration. It is when the use of technology is routine. Technology integration is when a child or a teacher does not stop to think that he or she is using a computer or researching via the Internet.

Student Profiles: cnets.iste.org/students/s_profiles.html

What are the technology integration levels? http://www.loticonnection.com/lotilevels.html

student-teacher roles

Technology helps change the student/teacher roles and relationships. Often the student is familiar with the technology, and the student must teach the teacher. The teacher becomes the mentor and the guide.

Technology integration promotes project-based learning styles. It engages students in their learning processes. Students acquire and use higher-order thinking, analysis, and problem solving. They take responsibility for their learning outcomes. Teachers become guides and facilitators. Technology lends itself as the multidimensional tool that assists the process.

How do you integrate technology into the language arts curriculum?

The easiest way to begin integrating technology is to look at lessons and projects that have been developed by teachers whose students are using technology tools.

Start here: cnets.iste.org/search/s_search.html

Article: “Too Few Computers and Too Many Kids: Part Two”

Cyberbee Curriculum Ideas: www.cyberbee.com/intclass.html

Technology Tips from Marco-Polo: www.marcopolo-education.org/teacher/tech_tips.aspx

The Web Quest Page: webquest.org

Group Activity: Explore & Discuss a Web Quest (See Handout)

bose: Not the audio technology company

Alabama Virtual Library: www.avl.lib.al.us

Britannica Online School Edition

-Three Reading Levels

-Learning Materials

-Curriculum Standards