Chapter 12

Technology & Social Studies

10 themes in social studies curriculum-

Culture

Time, continuity & change

People, places & environments

Individual development & identity

Individuals, groups & institutions

Power, authority & governance

Production, distribution &consumption

Science, technology & society

Global connections

Civic ideals & practices

Schools face the dilemma of how to teach s.s. in a meaningful way.

Conflict over what to teach and how to teach it.

The Internet has brought in many resources and opinions- not all true or accurate. Kids need to be taught how to decide what info. is reputable.

Some ways to integrate technology into s.s.-

Simulated problem solving environments-students interact with simulated events or locations. Students practice problem solving skills and see s.s. as more relevant to their daily lives.

Graphic representations such as timeline generators help students visualize difficult concepts.

Virtual trips lets students travel virtually to places they can not go and enhances real trips the students are able to take.

Student Telecollaboration lets students work together on the same project from distant locations.

Digital Storytelling lets students tell stories about people, places or events using images and sound.

Electronic Research- the Internet provides the most current info. possible. Students need to be taught where to find and identify quality info.

Technology is also useful in practicing factual information, such as states and capitals, using, for example a game like Classroom Jeopardy.

Website Resources

Muzzy Lanehttp://www.muzzylane.comMuzzy Lane is a provider of educational simulations covering a broad range of subjects and disciplines.

Bodie, Californiahttp://www.bodie.netThis site is a virtual tour of an original ghost town from the late 1800's.


U.S. National Archives and Records Administrationhttp://www.archives.govThe National Archives is a public trust that enables people to inspect for themselves the record of what government has done.

StocksQuest Global Stock Market Gamehttp://investsmart.coe.uga.edu/C001759/stocksquest/mystocks.htmThe Global Stock Game (GSG) is a realistic stock market simulation in which users can learn the stock market at no cost.


Who Killed William Robinsonhttp://web.uvic.ca/history-robinson/indexmsn.htmlThe site is designed to make history interesting, helping students to learn more effectively about issues and events while learning how to think critically about history itself.

Colonial Househttp://www.pbs.org/wnet/colonialhouse/historyThis documents the PBS project in "experiential history."


Digital Diarieshttp://www.http://www.adobe.com/education/instruction/curriculum/exchange/winnebago.htmlDigital Diaries is a research project on pioneer history culminating in the development of a simple Web site – a way to facilitate a learning experience combining history and technology.

PBS Civil Warhttp://www.pbs.org/civilwarThis original nine-part series is an example of historical storytelling. Ken Burns's epic documentary brings to life America's most destructive and defining conflict.


Oral History Society http://www.oralhistory.org.ukThe Oral History Society is a national and international organization dedicated to the collection and preservation of oral history.

Jeff Share's The Camera Always Lies: Breaking the Myth of Objectivityhttp://www.medialit.org/reading_room/article639.htmlThis article is a discussion of the digital manipulation of photographs in the media.

Don't Buy Ithttp://pbskids.org/dontbuyitDon't Buy It: Get Media Smart is a media literacy Web site for young people that encourages users to think critically about media and become smart consumers.


Democratic Partyhttp://www.democrats.orgThe Democratic National Convention established the Democratic National Committee (DNC) in 1848. The DNC is the oldest continuing party committee in the United States and the world.

Republican Partyhttp://www.rnc.orgThe Republican Party was formed in the early 1850's by anti-slavery activists and individuals who believed that government should grant western lands to settlers free of charge.


Ellis Island Recordshttp://www.ellisisland.orghttp://www.ellisislandimmigrants.orgThe Ellis Island Foundation works for the restoration of Ellis Island—a symbol of the American immigrant experience. Ellis Island Records create links to millions of immigrant ancestors from all over the world.

Multiculturalpediahttp://www.netlaputa.ne.jp/~tokyo3/e"Multiculturalpedia" is an encyclopedia in which users can learn about other cultures.


States Web Gameshttp://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games.htmStates Web Games are used to learn the locations, capitals, abbreviations, and over 500 important facts about the 50 states.

Riverdeep Softwarehttp://www.riverdeep.comRiverdeep produces educational software including Classroom Jeopardy.