Advantages of Integrating Technology
One of the biggest advantages of integrating technology into a social studies classroom is that with the right technology a teacher can now take kids to places they would never by physically able to go to. According to Roblyer and Doering (2012) "Virtual Field Trips are visits students make to internet sites to see places they could not easily go in real life or that can help them get more out of trips they are able to take." (p. 339) Imagine telling your 8th Grade World History class that you are going to take them to Paris France to see the Louvre Muse. Today that is possible simply by going to http://www.louvre.fr . Virtual field trips are also a way to save money when education budgets are constantly being cut back. Check out the video below to see how to implement virtual field trips in your classroom.
Simulated Problem-Solving environments are another advantage to integrating your classroom that can take your kids out of the desk and into real world decision making. Roblyer and Doering (2012) state that " simulations, or electronic environments that allow students to interact with simulated events or locations, can help make these concepts more clear." (p. 338) Simulated environments have come a long way from Oregon Trail game we all remember as kids. Software such as Muzzy Lane's Making History (http://www.muzzylane.com/products/making-history/) place students in historical events and allow them to make decisions applying information they have learned in class (Roblyer and Doering, 2012, p.338) Using these types of technology can bring historical locations and events alive for student like never before.
Disadvantages of Integrating Technology
One of the major disadvantages of integrating technology into the classroom is how social studies is view in importance to the other subjects in today's educational environment. Schools today are all about statewide mandatory testing for assessment. According to Roblyer and Doering (2012) " Despite their obvious value and relevance to future citizens, social studies themes and topics are not usually among those included in statewide assessments." (p. 336) This means that many times social studies classrooms are last in line to receive the benefits of technology funding. Another challenge for integrating technology in the classroom is the vast amount of information that becomes available to students. Roblyer and Doering (2012) state "Some believe that Internet information has the potential to alter the traditional relationship between student and teacher since teachers are no longer the primary source of facts and information." (p. 336) Teachers must guide students in weeding out the bad information and get them to reliable sources. This is extremely important in the social sciences much of the study is based in opinion or interpretation of facts. This can lead to a large amount of bias information available on the internet. This article by Linda Jewell and Michael Manning discusses many of the challenges educators face in integrating technology in the classroom.
Specific Activities, Programs, Etc.
Muzzy Lane's Making History
GeoThentic
The Oregon Trail
Colonial Williamsburg Electronic Field TripGo North Adventure Learning Series
National Archives and Records Administration
PBS Civil War
Voice Thread
The Oral History Society Home Page
References
Roblyer, M.D. & Doering, A.H. (2012). Integrating educational technology into teaching (6th ed.). Columbus, OH: Merrill Prentice Hall.
I completely agree with how putting a Virtual Field Trip into a class would be beneficial to the students. It makes it easy to show students the entire world. It has an easy implementation into the class as well which makes the concept of showing them the world a feasible option without breaking the budget for funding. This ability to cut back on the funds is something that should happen more often (Robyler & Doering, 2013).
ReplyDeleteVirtual field trips are one of the cooler new ideas I've seen in modern tech. As someone whose subject is literature, I believe many of the same advantages that students would get from a social sciences related VFT would transfer over to an English based one. Roblyer & Doering (2013) say that VFT's give "students a richer, more comprehensive perspective" with regards to what they're studying, and that can only be good.
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