ETEC 5303 Learning With Computers in the K - 12 Classroom
Q: Due to budgetary issues/constraints, how can I bring students to a location?
A: Virtual Field Trips through Internet display places around the world.
Students can “visit” places of the world without leaving the classroom.
Teachers can help set up “visitations” to various places to allow student to focus on particular topics that coincide with the content of the classroom.
Districts can save significant amount of funds by keeping students in school, and students avoid missing other instructional content time.
Students get a “fuller” view of the world that they live in.
Students may not have the real life experience but exposure to various cultures and countries.
Students can be familiar with parts of the world without ever leaving the classroom setting.
District/school funds can be allocated to other student activity funds.
Q: How can I have my students participate in a debate without time constraints?
A: Message boards allow students to give feedback on a topic of conversation in the classroom.
Teachers can set the time limit on a debate choosing to beyond the typical bell schedule.
Allows teachers to set parameters so that all students to participate.
Students can revisit topical debates and review material and views shared.
Increase in student participation in various assignments.
Students become familiar with argumentative writing in the Social Studies setting.
Students have digital documentation of the debate.
Q: What software can I use have students share findings of a research project?
A: Any software that can present information to an audience.
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Students can access multiple modes of presentation for particular assignments
Students can incorporate visual aids and other evidence to help describe their research findings.
Students can have a “clean & organized” finished product.
Students become familiar with relevant materials
Students can develop their own communication styles in presenting materials.
Students can enhance presentations through technical skills.
Q: Where can I get students to visualize historical events or potential outcomes
A: Websites that simulate past actions or possible future events
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Social Studies and Technology Intergration
Internet for Instruction
Tool Based Software
Instructional Software
Productivity Software
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Students can feel and/or visualize how their decisions would lead to an end result in a certain time period.
Students learn how manipulation of data and choices can effect outcomes
Allows students to predict, hypothesize, and explain potential outcomes with evidence.
Incorporates decision making into learning activities.
Incorporates prediction practices into learning activities.
Incorporates other content area skills such as math and science to the classroom.
Students can share ideas and work together to construct a project, document, or presentation not just in the classroom but beyond.
Teachers can monitor data that shows the actual amount of participation of each student in various projects.
Students learn to work together on a learning assignment to meet a deadline in a balanced way.
Students develop team building skills and responsibility.
Student learn to share their views with their team members in a respectful manner.
Q: What software can I use to have students learn about orientation and geography?
A: Global Positioning Systems (GPS) allows students to visualize where they are actually are on the Earth’s surface.
Most students can have access to GPS technology through their smartphones or own devices which allows for students to have their own familiarity while participating in finding their own physical location.
Students become familiar with distance spaces.
Students become familiar with GPS technologies and how it can apply to.
Students become familiar with activities like orientation
Q: How can I get to show the views of the students in a anonymous way?
A: Polling (Survey) websites and applications.
Students can either use their own devices or those from a school to complete a poll or survey.
Students can participate in an anonymous way and have the freedom of being scrutinized by peers.
Students can learn to interpret/analyze data from display of a poll.
Student participation rates could possibly increase.
Q: How can I have my students develop a collaborative project and monitor their participation and progress?
A: Programs like wikis that allow multiple users work together on a singular project.
Internet For Instruction
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It is my personal opinion that Social Studies have been one of the subject areas that has benefitted the most from technology integration. The World Wide Web [WWW] allows students to explore countries, cultures, and subcultures. Human beings are connected now more than ever in an expanding social network online. Teachers no longer have to rely on an outdated textbook to help instruction, nor do they need to rely on a morning paper that was printed the night before for a current events discussion; they can have the most updated information at their finger tips through news media computer applications that connect to the likes of USA Today or the New York Times.
Teachers at a lectern delivering only an auditory lecture are a thing of the past with presentation software that adds visual aid to help describe events in history with various productivity software programs like Power Point. A teacher could even reduce the time spent on lecturing by posting a video cast or a podcast on their website for students to download so that more time can be spent in the classroom completing learning activity.
Instructional software can be found in realm of social studies. Many computer games are developed around historical events; these games allow students to either recreate history or take on a virtual experience through digital role playing (Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?, and Centurion) giving them the feeling of being in that part of the world or a part of an event. Keeping students engaged allows students to absord the content that the teacher is delivering
Finally, harder to describe topics in Social Studies like Economics can be presented visually through tools like spreadsheets and the functions that are associated with such programs. The internet also lends some tool software through interactive programs. Debates in civics and government classes can come alive on a digital message board, where a teacher can assure that every student can have say or role in the class. The teacher can also chime in feedback, monitor progress, (or act as a referee) to the students as they carrying on their discussions.
In addition here are a few more examples of how technology can expand Social Studies:
Questions, Answers, Solutions, and Examples about Intergrating Technology into the Classroom
ISTE Standards Students
1) Creativity and Innovation
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge and develop innovative products and processes using technology.
a) Apply existing knowledge to generate ideas, products, or processes
b) Create original works as a means of personal or group expression
c) Use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues
d) Identify trends and forecast possibilities
3) Research and Information Fluency
Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.
c) Evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks.
d) Process data and report results
4) Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
Students use crucial thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.
a) Identify and define authentic problems and significant questions for investigation
b) Plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project
c) Collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions.
d) Use multiple processes and diverse perspectives to explore alternative solutions
5) Digital Citizenship
Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior.
b) Exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity.
6) Technology operations and concepts
Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations.
a) Understand and use technology systems
b) Select and use applications effectively and productively
d) Transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies.
ISTE Standards – Teachers
1) Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments.
b)Engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.
2) Design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments
Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessments incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the Standards.
a) Design or adapt learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity
b) Develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress.
c) Customize and personalize learning activities to address students’ diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources
d) Provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards, and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching.
3) Model Digital Age Work and Learning
Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society.
b) Collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation.
d) Model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning.
4) Promote and model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility
Teachers understand local and global societal issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital culture and exhibit legal and ethical behavior in their professional practices.
b) Address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources.
5) Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership
Teacher continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources.
c)Evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice on a regular basis to make effective use of existing and emerging digital tools and resources in support of student learning
ISTE Standards – Administrators
1) Visionary Leadership
Educational Administrators inspire and lead development and implementation of a shared vision for comprehensive integration of technology to promote excellence and support transformation throughout the organization.
b)Engage in an ongoing process to develop, implement, and communicate technology-infused strategic plans aligned with a shared vision.
2) Digital Age Learning Culture
Educational Administrators create, promote, and sustain a dynamic, digital-age learning culture that provides a rigorous, relevant, and engaging education for all students.
a) Ensure instructional innovation focused on continuous improvement of digital-age learning
b) Model and promote the frequent and effective use of technology for learning,
d)Ensure effective practice in the study of technology and its infusion across the curriculum
e)Promote and participate in local, national, and global learning communities, that stimulate innovation, creativity, and digital age collaboration
3)Excellence in Professional Practice
Educational Administrators promote an environment of professional learning and innovation that empowers educators to enhance student learning through the infusion of contemporary technologies and digital resources.
a) Allocate time, resources, and access to ensure ongoing professional growth in technology fluency and integration
c)Promote and model effective communication and collaboration among stakeholders using digital age tools
d)Stay abreast of educational research and emerging trends regarding effective use of technology and encourage evaluation of new technologies for their potential to improve student learning
4)Systemic Improvement
Educational Administrators provide digital age leadership and management to continuously improve the organization through the effective use of information and technology resources.
a) Lead purposeful change to maximize the achievement of learning goals through the appropriate use of technology and media-rich resources
b) Collaborate to establish metrics, collect and analyze data, interpret results, and share findings to improve staff performance and improve student learning.
Post It Note
Sometimes the effects of technology on society can take a negative turn. To the right you can view how when technology falls into hands of irresponsibility ho others can be affected. This video can serve as a great discussion starter with students on what it means being a digital citizen into today's world and how to avoid the pitfalls that can come from poor decision making.