1. Technology in Social Studies Instruction
Kacy Chenoweth, Carla Corzine, Marci Goldberg, Kristen Sloan, and Brandee Whorton

2. Social Studies is the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civil competence.
As an area that focuses of the interconnections of people and earth, social studies education has been affected by the impact of technology perhaps more than any other content area.
Social studies draws upon:
Anthropology, archaeology, economics, geography, history, law, political science, religion and sociology.

3. Issues and Problems in Social Studies Education
Depth vs. Breadth
Closely related to the issue of teaching for understanding
Complex and will not be resolved any time soon
Schools have to decide for themselves whether to emphasize broad survey coverage and mastery of facts or depth.

4. Perils of the Information Explosion The “History Wars”
Availability of information on the internet is creating controversy
Some online information contradicts textbooks
Teach students to be critical
The “History Wars”
Centers around whether or not US history curriculum excludes non European cultures
Fails to represent minority perspectives
UCLA is starting a major project to get history classes more focused on the multicultural aspect

5. Integrating Technology Into Social Studies Instruction Studying Our Past, Mapping Our Future
Content/Area and Topics
Geography
Civics
History
Length of Time
Six Weeks
Major Activities Covered
Identify events that shaped the history and growth of the area.
Create life maps of people from the history of the local area.
Develop a “growth scenario” for the future

6. Integration Technology Into Social Studies Instruction (cont.)
Planning Instructions
Week one: Introduce the unit
Week two: Gather information and create time lines
Week three/four: Create life maps
Week five/six: Create future scenarios
Evaluating and Revising
Did students show growth in their thinking about people’s future shaping roles?
Where students engaged in their tasks?
Did the software work smoothly as expected?
Did most students score well overall?

7. Useful Internet Sites
National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS):
This is the official site for the National Council for the Social Studies.
This site allows children to tour the White House and learn about American history and politics.
This site links children with people in other countries in a pen pal type of relationship.
Sites for Teaching about Cultures:
One World, Our World:
Created by those who have served in the Peace Corps, this site is dedicated to the principles of tolerance, leadership, and conflict resolution.
Sites for Teaching History:
Teaching with Historic Places:
This site is sponsored by the National Park Service for both students and teachers.

8. Useful Internet Sites Cont.
Sites for Teaching about People, Places, and Environments:
Stately Knowledge: Facts about the United States:
Provides links to all 50 states
Sites for Teaching about Production, Distribution, and Consumption:
CNNfn: The Financial Network
provides a plethora of information including up-to-date stock quotes and exchange rates for any country in the world.
Site for Teaching about Science, Technology, and Society:
National Geographic Society:
an interactive site that teaches children about inventions, inventors, and the “accidents” that often lead to discovery.
Sites for Teaching about Global Connections:
Children’s Games from Around the World:
this site is a great source for teaching students about the various games children play around the world.
Sites for Teaching about Civic Ideals and Character Education:
Character Education Partnership:
a coalition of organizations dedicated to developing moral character and civic virtue in the nation’s youth.

9. Technology Integration Examples for the Classroom
Virtual trips and webquests
Pen pals via and messaging
Videos
Multimedia encyclopedias
Internet Research
Tools such as GIS and GPS
Drill and practice software for test preparation
Interactive learning software

10. Example Activity: Developing Maps
Tom Snyder’s, Neighborhood Map Machine
This software and website allows students to create maps by gathering and attaching information and modify maps by altering things such as weather information.