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.
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)
- 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)
Jeremy this is an awesome blog. I agree with you on the advantage of allowing students to use technology in education really does help them prepare for an experience outside of high school. But as a social studies educator we are challenged to have sufficient background to teach such diverse topics (Roblyer 2016. pg. 338). We have to be creative in order to gain the students attention.
ReplyDeleteAlthough "Accessing Internet sources give students and teachers up-to-date information they could not obtain easily from other sources." (pg. 341)parents and teachers have to be careful what students access. With the wealth of information that students are accessible to it has to be monitored. Teaching students how to asses websites to ensure that students are accessing websites that contain true and current information.
ReplyDeleteJeremy, great post! As a fellow Social Studies teacher, I agree that perhaps the biggest advantage of integrating technology into a Social Studies classroom is the access to updated information along with important historical documents that would otherwise be hard to teach about."Social studies instruction is designed to help us discover and better understand our world and its people, and technology based strategies have become integral to this instruction" (Roblyer, 2016, p.336).
ReplyDeleteNice work Jeremy. The evolution of technology for social studies is interesting me, and I think could have some downsides. It is possible that "Internet information has the potential to alter the traditional relationship between student and teacher," (Roblyer, 2016, p.339) where students take internet sources as primary source over their teacher. While in some cases this is a good thing, it puts teachers in a unique position to have to learn on the fly, and help students cipher through various sources--both legit and fraudulent. But I agree, the access to so much information is a great tool for any classroom, but specifically yours.
ReplyDelete