Chapter 12 - Technology in Social Studies Instruction

Issues and Problems in Social Studies Instruction

Methods of Addressing Social Studies Instruction Standards - There are 10 themes that form the social studies standards. At elementary and middle school, schools usually address social studies curriculum by teaching a variety of topics from these strands. In high school, it is more specific such as history and civics.
The 10 themes are:

1. Culture
2. Time, continuity, and change
3. People, places, and environments
4. Individual development and identity
5. Individuals, groups, and institutions
6. Power, authority, and governance
7. Production, distribution, and consumption
8. Science, technology, and society
9. Global connections
10. Civic ideals and practices

Dilemmas in Teaching Social Studies Effectively

Since many teachers tend to focus instruction primarily on tested topics, social studies is often put on the back burner. The shear amount of material to review creates an ongoing challenge to schools teach social studies in a meaningful way. Adding to this challenge is the role of technology itself. And the issue of costs for high quality resources.

See Top Ten Strategies for Technology in Social Studies Instruction, page 353

Perils of the Information Explosion

The ready availability of information on the Internet has created several concerns for social studies education. First, some believe that Internet information has the potential to alter the traditional relationship between the teacher and the student. (Because the student may find different information on a website.) Schools need to "mobilize their curriculum leaders into quality management" to monitor and help students become more analytical about the information they receive.

Technology Integration Strategies for Social Studies Instruction

Simulated Problem-Solving Environments - lets students interact with simulated models of environments or events - see Figure 12.2 page 356

Graphic Representations - Graphing software and other tools represent abstract concepts in more concrete forms - see Figure 12.3 page 356

Virtual Trips - Some of the same instructional benefits of simulated environments but not as interactive. They send students to Internet locations to supplement or replace real field trip.

Student Telecollaborations - Email and the Internet let students in various locations share diverse perspectives.

Digital storytelling - the use of digital images in social studies can accomplish many purposes:

1. Assist students in comparing and contrasting the past and the present.
2. Sensitize students to diverse perspectives and biases.
3. Provide visual cues and reinforce geographic concepts.
4. Represent abstract and concrete social studies concepts.
5. Foster skills in analysis and critical thinking.
6. Facilitate greater connections to the community.
7. Personalize associations with the study of geography, history, economics, government and other related disciplines.

Benefits - images communicate biographies and historical events in ways that make them more real and relevant. **Students need to learn how to analyze images and tell fact from fiction.**

Electronic Research - Since information changes quickly and frequently, Internet sources give students and teachers up-to-date information they could not obtain easily from other sources.

GIS and GPS Lessons - Geographic Information Systems (GISs) house a wealth of information, so the students get a highly graphic way of looking at numerical information, such as population, overlaid on an area map. GPS is Global Positioning System, another system that allows students to look at geography from many different perspectives.

Practice of factual information - Drill-and-practice and instructional game programs are fun, motivational ways to help students remember historical and geographic facts.

Chapter 11 - Technology in Mathematics and Science Instruction

Introduction
Efforts to reform teaching and learning in Science and Math are at the center of the national standards movement. U.S. elementary students perform well compared to other nations but that performance diminishes as our students progress through school.

See Top Ten Strategies for Technology in Math and Science Instruction page 326

Challenges in Implementing the Principles and Standards for School Mathematics

1. Teachers should consider an appropriate combination of off and on computer activities.
2. They should consider technology as a mathematical tool rather than a pedagogical tool.
3. Third they should view technology as a tool for developing student thinking.

Researchers concluded that math software, particularly programs that promote experimentation and problem solving, enables students to embrace key math concepts that are otherwise difficult to grasp.

Technology Integration Strategies for Mathematics Instruction

(Figure 11.1 page 329)

Using Virtual Manipulatives

Benefits

• Supports hands-on activities for learning mathematics.
• Offers flexible environments for exploring complex concepts.
• Provides a concrete representation of abstract concepts.

Fostering Mathematical Problem Solving

NCTM defines problem solving as "engaging in a task for which the solution method is not known in advance."

Regardless of how many math facts, skills or procedures students learn, the true value of math is realized only when students can apply their knowledge to solve problems. Technology is a tool for solving problems. To prepare mathematically powerful citizens for the future, learning to solve problems using mathematics and appropriate technological tools is essential to education at all levels.

Benefits

• Helps students gather data to use in problem solving.
• Provides rich, motivating problem solving environments
• Gives students opportunities to apply mathematical knowledge and skills in meaningful contexts.

Mathematical problem solving does not need to resemble work! Riverdeep's Zoombinis Logical Journey is made up of numerous puzzles in a colorful and engaging environment that allows students to use logic, data analysis, algebra and graphing concepts as if they were playing a game.

Allowing Representation of Mathematical Principles

Research has shown that the use of graphing calculators can improve students' understanding of functions and graphs as well as the interconnections among the symbolic, graphical and numerical representations of problems.

Interactive or dynamic geometry software provides students with an environment in which to make discoveries and conjectures related to geometry concepts and shapes. Instead of memorizing facts or concepts, students can explore and arrive at conclusions on their own.

Benefits

• Makes abstract mathematical concepts more visual and easier to understand.
• Gives students environments in which to make discoveries and conjectures.

Implementing Data-driven Curriculum

Technology provides an ideal means of developing student knowledge and skill related to data analysis.

Benefits

• Provides easy access to many data sets.
• Provides real statistics to support investigations that are timely and relevant.
• Supports development of student knowledge and skill related to data analysis.
• Allows for exploration and presentation data in a graphical form.

Supporting Math-Related Communications

Benefits

• Allows easy contacts with experts.
• Promotes social interaction and discourse about mathematics.
• Allows teachers to reach other teachers for the exchange of ideas.

Motivating Skill Building and Practice

Benefits

• Provides motivating practice in foundation skills needed for higher order learning.
• Provides guided instruction within a structured learning environment.
• Delivers instruction when teacher may not be available.

Examples: Boxer Math, PLATO Learning, Waterford Early Math and Science

Figure 11.11 (p. 337) lists some useful websites for mathematics instruction.

Issues and Problems in Science Instruction

Growing concern - declining number of students (especially females and minorities pursuing studies in math, science, and engineering fields). America faces a growing crisis in leadership for much-needed science/technology/math/engineering initiatives.

New Emphasis on Controversies About Scientific Inquiry

Approaches commonly adopted in the classroom:

• Technology is viewed as a tool, much like a pencil or pen, but considerably more powerful.
• Use of technology is primarily taught in the context of solving problems.
• Students help one another with the mechanics of technology; in fact, in many classrooms, students are the local experts on technological details.
• Talk about and around technology is as important as the technology itself, just as talk about how one finds and uses information is as important as the information itself.
• Technology is used to augment communication by expanding audience (e.g., over networks and by producing hard copy) and expressive options (e.g., mixing graphs and words).

Technology Integration Strategies for Science Instruction

(See Figure 11.12, page 338)

Supporting Authentic Science Experiences

Technology can be used to teach specific elements of the scientific inquiry process:

1. Locating information to investigate scientific issues and questions.
2. Collecting data.
3. Visualizing data and phenomena.
4. Analyzing data.
5. Communicating results.

Benefits:

• Provides resources needed for doing each phase of authentic science activities.
• Some Internet projects provide environments that support all phases of an authentic science project.

Supporting Science Concept Learning

Benefits:

• Allows simulating and modeling of scientific processes.
• Provides opportunities to engage in problem-solving activities.

Students often have difficulty understanding complex scientific concepts, especially when they are only presented in text as non-moving static images. Simulations and animations can make those concepts clearer.

Assessing Science Information and Tools

The Internet has opened up a world of opportunities for learning beyond the classroom. Students can control a Rover like ones on Mars or operate a telescope or camera from the space shuttle. The Internet also is an invaluable resource for up-to-date science information. Teachers can also use the Internet for assistance with content knowledge and for professional development opportunities that may not be available locally.

Benefits:

• Allows access to unique tools and collections of information.
• Expands opportunities for learning.

Chapter 9 - Technology in English and Language Arts Instruction

Issues and Problems in English and LA Instruction

Expanding the Definition of Literacy - students are entering an rea when they will spend the majority of their literacy time engaged in electronic forms of communication. As new technologies emerge, so does the need for new literacies; therefore it is critical that students learn how to learn new technologies of literacy.

Exploring New Instructional Practices - Teachers are expected to provide new forms of literacy instruction so that students know how to locate, critically evaluate, use, and communicate through technology resources.
Students also need knowledge about the hardware and how to use these devices to create and present multimedia products. Also, there is a growing need for teachers to instruct students to comprehend language in the context of visual images since images play an increasing role in communication.
Clearly new literacies require a high level of critical sophistication of our students and it is only through instruction that they will develop these skills.

Making Decision About Keyboarding Instruction - Ongoing discussion of whether we should teach keyboarding instruction as a prerequisite to the use of computers for writing.
Both arguments are legitimate and most teachers have resolved the issue, by favoring keyboarding instruction if it is available and needed, but not preventing students from using the computer if they do not have good keyboarding skills.

Creating Social Learning Environments - Thanks to the Internet we have a worldwide classroom. This provides a tremendous multicultural benefit to our classrooms that has never existed before.

Working with Diverse Learners - Because many students need additional instruction in literacy, appropriate use of technology can support their growth. Numerous Internet resources are available to assist teachers with struggling readers.

Motivating Students - Teachers are turning to the interactive and visual qualities of software and websites to increase motivation. Technology tools and strategies have emerged to spur students' desire to write, to improve the quality of their written products, and to provide authentic publication sources.

Teachers' Growth as Literacy Professionals - Teachers need to continue to get training so that students can get the technology education they have the right to get.

Technology Intergration Strategies for English and Language Arts Instruction

(See Figure 9.2, page 295)
Strategy 1
Language Skills Development: Decoding/Phonics, Comprehension, Vocabulary
Benefits - gives motivational, individual instruction and/or practice in individual reading and writing skills. Also supplies private, individual feedback to scaffold students' learning.
Sample Resources and Activities - Reading instructional systems, electronic dictionaries and thesauruses, electronic devices, talking word processors

Strategy 2
Literacy Development:
Benefits - Helps match books to students' own interests, Presents reading assignments in ways that students find compelling; helps track reading. Engages students in reading by helping them visualize the people and places in books. Supports the reflection and frequent modification called for in process writing.
Sample Resources and Activities - Networked literacy projects, interactive storybooks, tracking systems, digital storytelling activities, online reading materials, writing in blogs, script writing in video projects, threaded discussions in distance tools.

Strategy 3
Process Approach to Writing - With word processing, students can use producing and revising so it is a process instead of a tool for learning.
Benefits- Supports students as they produce and revise text; frees them to focus on generating and sharing ideas. Supports all stages of the writing process: planning, drafting, revising and editing, and publishing.
Sample Resources and Activities - Word processing, Planning for writing, electronic outliners, concept mapping software, Internet resource sites. Drafting revising, editing, projected images of word-processed drafts, spell checkers, grammar checkers. Publishing: desktop-published brochures, newspapers, and booklets; electronic slide shows; and web pages.

Top Ten Strategies for Technology in English/Language Arts, page 296