Module Five
Advantages of
Integrating Technology
One advantage of
integrating technology when teaching social studies is that technology tools
make possible a variety of strategies teachers can use to enhance the learning
experience for students. These strategies support a variety of approaches. One
of the tools technology provides is simulated
problem solving environments. Social studies often provides complex issues
and problems that are hard for the students to understand. Simulations, or
electronic environments can help the students understand by allowing them a
chance to interact with simulated events or locations. Another tool is virtual field trips. This option is
growing daily, with a variety of field trips being added to the web all of the
time. Teachers all over the world use this option to provide students with the opportunity
to view a location with their own eyes, without the high cost that many don’t
have to pay. The following is a link to a Symbaloo web mix that includes many
resources for using virtual field trips in the elementary and middle school
classroom.
Link to Symbaloo Virtual Field Trip Web Mix
Disadvantages of
Integrating Technology
One disadvantage of integrating technology into social studies is that
the field of social studies presents a unique array of special problems related
to content knowledge. Social studies is a very broad content area. With so much
content teachers are required to cover, it is difficult for teachers to
maintain current technology resources to use when creating effective lessons
for their students. Choosing the best and more current resources means that
teachers must constantly keep updated on their content knowledge so they can
identify resources that are up to date and accurate.
Article with a List of Disadvantages of Virtual Field Trips
Specific
Activities, Programs, Etc.
I find that virtual field trips are
a huge asset to both the teacher and the students in the class. Virtual field
trips are an easy way for students to see things that they otherwise would not
be able to see with their own eyes. Virtual field trips have the potential to
enhance lessons across the curriculum. Digital
storytelling is another great resource for teachers to use. Digital
storytelling is the process of using images and audio to tell the stories of
lives, events, or eras. These projects offer students the opportunity to make
their own lives a part of their research.
Amie, I think that the simulated environments is an awesome idea. It would be sort of like a computer game for them which they would really like. Virtual field trips are awesome as well and a great way to take the students places they couldn't other wise go. I agree that social studies is a very broad subject which can make it harder to use technology.
ReplyDeleteAmie, I agree that the content in social studies presents a difficulty when trying to incorporate technology while maintaining the important concepts of the lesson. Like you mentioned, the book tells us, that virtual field trips and simulated environments can increase the interactive aspect of social studies which can be difficult to achieve at times. Rather than looking to a textbook for every lesson, this would be a great way to mix things up and give students something to look forward to in social studies.
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