how technology helps social studies

Technology Integration Technology Integration

Julie Zollo BarraJulie Zollo Barra Jim StackpoleJim Stackpole Chris ChurchwellChris Churchwell Jim EllisJim Ellis

Teaching social studies…

can be

like this

or this

unfortunately

faces four problems.

Technology in the

social studies

classroom

The first problem.

Statewide tests don’t focus on social studies.

So resources go elsewhere.

The second problem.

Amount of material covered.

Take, for example,

A world history course.

Teach the history of this:

And this…

prehistoric Barack ObamaJulius Cesar Napoleon

And don’t forget this.

In one school year?

I thought history repeated itself.

The third problem.

Technology.

What the font?

Forcing educators to be more:

Current Collaborative

Complex Challenging

The fourth problem.

However.

Here are four.

1) Digital Storytelling:

Merging images and audio to tell the story.

2) Virtual Field Trips:

Visit the world from your classroom.

3) Student Telecollaborations.

4) Geographic Information Systems:

A new way to map.

For example:

This:

Becomes this:

Let’s recap:

Four problems:No statewide assessments.

Amount of material to cover.

Technology. Funding.

But you can reach for the sky.

Julie Zollo BarraJulie Zollo Barra Jim StackpoleJim Stackpole Chris ChurchwellChris Churchwell Jim EllisJim Ellis