Intergrating Technology

Advantages of Integrating Technology

One of the biggest advantages I believe to using technology is allowing students to gain the experience and knowledge to use technology once they leave school and are out in the real world.  The following article http://www.teachhub.com/benefits-technology-classroom confirms that most students believe that using technology in the classroom will help prepare them for the "digital economy".  For Social Studies I like how simulations allow students to experience events in a hands on way.  Roblyer (2016) notes "simulations allow students to take an active part in historical situations that would not otherwise be possible due to historical or physical distance." (pg. 340).  Another huge one is the accessibility to up to date information.  Robyler (2016) states "Accessing Internet sources give students and teachers up-to-date information they could not obtain easily from other sources." (pg. 341). When I was in elementary school you had to use books and encyclopedias that had dated information.

Disadvantages of Integrating Technology

The following clip talked about some disadvantages to integrating technology.

One that stands out to me is the potentially harmful effects of radiation exposure to our bodies and potential vision issues.  We really have no clue how much this could affect humans as we integrate more technology and screen time into learning. Social Studies lacks state assessments which leads Robyler (2016) to note "Consequently, technology materials tend to be directed toward other content areas." (pg. 338).  This can make it where teachers must seek out resources on their own and typically without funding, hence they must find free resources.   Robyler (2016) also states in regards to teaching Social Studies "Internet information has the potential to alter the traditional relationship between student and teacher, since teachers are no longer the primary source of facts." (pg. 339).  This can lead to students finding information that goes against what the teacher is teaching.  Another disadvantage we learned in class that Robyler (2016) covered "Many students have been drawn to online sites without questioning their accuracy." (pg.339).  History can be written from two perspectives and even they can have differences so it is so important to be sure students know how to find reliable sources.

Specific Activities, Programs, Etc. 

- Simulations ex. ICivics
- Accessing Primary Sources ex. National Archives
- Electronic Resources ex. Census in Schools (http://www.census.gov), U.S. Congress (http://thomas.loc.gov)
- Virtual Field Trips ex. U.S. Capitol Tour website, National Museum of Natural history
- Digital Storytelling ex. PBS Civil War (National Archives and Records Administration)
- Geospatial Technology ex. Geocaching.com
- Adventure Learning ex. Go North!, Adventure Learning Experiences (Canada)

Software Tools for 21st Century Teaching

Materials Generators  

- Smart Exchange (http://www.exchange.smarttech.com/#tab=0)

is a program that provides teachers with lesson plans and activities that they can utilize on the smart board. 

- I chose interactive whiteboard software because it engages students and I can attest that my kids both enjoyed the smart board in elementary school.  Roblyer notes (2016) "Whiteboards have become very popular in schools" (Pg. 147).  

Further information:

http://www.bbcactive.com/BBCActiveIdeasandResources/Whatisaninteractivewhiteboard.aspx

Data Collection and Analysis

- Inforgr.am (https://infogr.am/app/#/library)

allows you to take written numbers and put it into visual format via charts and graphs

- Data for graphic illustration as an example of integration strategies for online survey tools is a great way for students to be able to visualize information as Roblyer states (2016) "Students get practice in reading and interpreting the graphic displays" (Pg. 152)

Further information:

http://www.sedl.org/pubs/sedl-letter/v22n02/using-data.html

Testing and Grading Tools

- RubiStar (http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php)

allows you to create and organize what is expected of a student to complete in an assignment.

- Rubistar is an example of a test and rubric generator.  Rubrics give students an outline of prompts or tasks which need to be completed in order to succeed with an assignment.

Further information:

Awesome point on how grading rubrics creates unbiased grading 

http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/instructional-design/rubrics-as-a-defense-against-grade-appeals/

Graphics Tools

- Wordle allows students to visually see words that are prominent in a document or passage.  (http://www.wordle.net/)

- Word cloud generators can be used in many different subjects and in many different ways.  Roblyer notes (2016) "Social Studies - Compare and analyze word clouds created from two presidential speeches" (pg. 159).

Further Information:

http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2016/02/here-are-some-of-best-word-cloud.html

Planning and Organizing Tools

- PlanbookEdu helps teachers organize their lessons online and provide documentation for what they are teaching.

(http://planbookedu.com/)

- Lesson planning software allows teacher to have a documented plan for their teaching structure and methods.  Roblyer says (2016) "show what teachers are teaching and how they are teaching it" (pg. 161).

Further Information:

http://www.crlt.umich.edu/gsis/p2_5

Research and Reference Tools

- Google Maps is a terrific online source for finding places in the world. (https://www.google.com/maps/)

- Digital atlases and mapping tools allow students to gather much more information than a traditional atlas.  Roblyer states (2016) "Online versions of these atlases are especially helpful because they are so interactive" (pg. 162).

Further Information:
https://www.google.com/help/maps/education/learn/index.html


Content Area Tools

- World Lingo helps students translate from one language to another. (http://www.worldlingo.com/)

- Online foreign language dictionaries and translators make translation much quicker and efficient in teaching a student new languages as opposed to looking everything up in a pocket translator.

Further Information: http://blog.tesol.org/online-dictionaries-for-english-learners/

Digital Citizenship

Search Engines & Website Navigation

From the module videos and readings we see that it is important to use information from websites that have credibility. Sites with a URL that ends in .org, .edu or .gov typically represent government and institution websites that have credible information.  One of the best ways to speed up navigating and organizing the sites that you find is to include a bookmark or favorite.  Robyler states (2016) "You could write all of them down, but a quicker way to go to such sites is to let a feature in your browser help you create a list or use an online organization tool.  This browser-based list is called a Bookmarks file or Favorites file" (p. 181).

Website Evaluation

The following video sticks to the basics and is geared towards middle school students.  I think you need to keep it short and to the point when trying to explain something like website evaluation.  

I like how this video shows how you want to find sites that have similar information and present their information in a fair manner showing points for and against and with the least amount of bias as possible. Roblyer notes (2016) "Site information must not only be complete, accurate, and up-to-date, it must also be free from the sources of problems often inherent in written communications: mechanical errors, inappropriate language, lack of appropriate source referencing, and bias" (p. 199)
Favorite Professional Websites
http://www.si.edu/Kids
The Smithsonian Kids website is a great website as users can get to any content within three clicks.  In the field of Social Studies this website has activities that are interactive to the user.  I tried one out for the presidents and the information was "presented in an attractive, creative, yet readable way" which Roblyer (2016) states is a key according to her website evaluation checklist (p. 199).  There are even lesson plans according to grade on here to assist teachers when teaching about presidents.
http://teachingamericanhistory.org/
The Teaching American History website is tailor made for teachers and students.  From the articles that I read the information is factually accurate and there is a wealth of information and lesson plans available for teachers like myself who would be teaching history.
Online Safety and Security
Robyler (2016) states cyberbullying is "The practice of using technology to harass, threaten, embarrass, or target another person" (p. 175).  I think it is so important to stay in tune with children in the cyber world.  I watched the video flocabulary and the two things that stood out to me were would you say it in real life and think about the reader before you post. People tend to not think that their words and actions online are not as damaging as in the real world but Roblyer (2016) explains "Cyberbullying is the online version of regular school bullying and can produce the same harmful consequences "(p. 175).

Three Software Technology Tools

Word Processing Software

Typing programs such as Word have allowed teachers to get more information to students quicker. You can type class notes, class email or a course syllabus to get information easily to all students. Word processed text is clearer and easier to read than written text. Word processing allows teachers and students to be able to share documents easily online as M.D. Roblyer (2016) states “especially since the release of products such as Google Docs and Wikispaces, teachers and students can now create, edit, and share documents synchronously.” (p. 115). Students with special needs can also now communicate via word processing software which in years past they did not have access too. M.D. Roblyer explains (2016) “adaptive keyboards and voice recognition capabilities make writing more accessible for students with physical challenges.” (p.115). Issues that I have personally experienced since the advent of word processing software include the following: forgetting how to hand write, auto correcting leading to poor grammar and an inability to type which negates the time benefit to word processing.

Spreadsheet Software

Spreadsheet software such as Excel allow teachers to save time grading by using formulas which Roblyer explains (2016) “Entries also can be changed, added, or deleted easily, with formulas that automatically recalculate final grades” (p. 121). Spreadsheets also do a great job of clearly organizing and displaying data for students to read as opposed to handwritten graphs or lists. Spreadsheets also give mathematics a degree of visual appeal and by working with numbers in a graphic form. One of the biggest issues with spreadsheets is that they can be too complex and overwhelming for students. Also when creating them you have to ensure that you know how to do the formulas properly and they are in the right square so you get the desired results.

Presentation Software

Presentation software such as PowerPoint allow a teacher to organize and narrow in on information that they want to get to their students and can be presented in ways that engages them such as through videos, audio clips and interesting pictures to supplement simple text information. Presentation software can also allow students to make contributions in a way which they excel at which Roblyer notes (2016) “for example some may focus on text message design and some on selecting and creating appropriate graphics” (p. 127). Perhaps a criticism of presentation software is that it can simplify the message too much and teachers can miss covering all that they wanted to teach. “not giving out hard copies of slides” (Roblyer, 2016, p.129) is also in instance when the students could easily forget what they heard and will have no way of reviewing for future tests.

Chosen Software - Presentation

My goal is to teach Social Studies and I think there are many ways in with presentation software can help to keep students interested in what your teaching. I am a big fan of world war two and I think a great idea would be to have a PowerPoint presentation incorporating both audio and video clips that would allow the students to see and hear actual World War Two events.  Here's a clip of World War 2 combat..

 My passion has always been history.  But I have also come to know that there is great satisfaction in making a positive difference in other people’s lives.  I decided to teach so I can combine my passion and my desire to be a positive influence in others lives.  It is my hope and goal that not only can I teach children about history, but also be a role model to them and teach good life skills and habits that they can carry on into their adult lives.