Technology Integration: Social Studies

Social Studies is debatably the most considered 'boring' subject in school. Science can create cool experiments, Math is simply needed in almost everything that we do, and English has amazing literature that can be appreciated among anyone. Social Studies, on the other hand, has been an area where a student is required to memorize information that dates back to the beginning of time. Of course this subject is considered 'boring'. I have this burning desire to show students how learning history, politics, and economics is needed in order to maintain, or even rebuild our society.

The major question is how do we engage our students to spark an interest in things that have already happened? The chapter dedicated to Social Studies did an excellent job giving examples of technological advances that create a learning atmosphere that is wanted among students, not forced upon them.

Virtual Field Trips:
I really found this interesting. This is a great way to provide students to experience a "variety of cultures, sights, and events outside their own communities" (Robyler & Doering, 2013, p.339). While having a classroom full of students it is not possible to be able to fly them across the world to visit a location to better their understanding. This is budget-friendly way to provide a cool experience of almost visiting the same area.

http://www.history.org/history/index.cfm

Adventure Learning:
This is a way for students to experience the virtual travels of explorers and educators travel throughout the world. Students would be in the life experiences of the people who witnessed it first-hand. Websites such as www.earthducation.com and www.polarhusky.com are ways for teachers to access this.

Digital Storytelling:
This is a process of "using images and audio to tell the stories of lives, events, and eras" by allowing students to "use personal narratives to explore community-based history, politics, economics, and geography" (Robyler & Doering, 2013, p.340). It also makes students become sensitized to diverse perspectives and biases, increases their analysis and critical thinking skills, and compares/contrasts past and present events (Robyler & Doering, 2013, p.340).

Advantages of Technology Integration:
There are clear advantages in technology integration. It creates an atmosphere for students to learn as if they were experiencing the situation first-hand. It engages students in the material that is required for them to learn. Technology has the potential to transform the learning experience for students. Having daily access to the internet gives students and teachers "up-to-date information that can change daily" (Robyler & Doering, 2013, p.341). The programs such as the ones listed above are all advantages in relaying information to students that they might not be able to understand on their own.

http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-guide-importance

Disadvantages of Technology Integration:
Of course there will always be disadvantages to technology. Maintenance comes along with technology. One of our videos explained how if every individual had a computer then maintenance would be impossible, especially within the school because if there is an update, new software, etc. then it would have to be done by the technologist at hand. The expenses could be overwhelming as well. Not every school has a budget that allows for large amount of technology in the classroom and not every student is in a financial situation where they would be able to invest in their own device.

This is a short article that explains the disadvantages of using technology in the classroom. These are the things that we must master in order to optimize our technology use for student's learning.
http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/tech/index.pl?read=136

M6 - http://t.co/tITkmu4L7T -- check out this short video on the classroom of the future!! #ED527UM

— Alex Strickland (@AL4Strick) November 18, 2013

Blog Reflection

http://stricklandalex.wikispaces.com/home

My peers told me to make sure I added information on the home page that was relevant to the activity. I was at first confused about writing too much on the home page, but now see that it is obviously needed in order to direct and welcome students. I added a small paragraph that makes the wiki feel slightly more welcoming. It was silly of me not to include this in the first place.

Module 5

21st Century Skills, including the ICT Competency Framework:

It is so important that teacher use technology within our classrooms. Technology has come such a long way and it is the way the new generation is engaged in the world. Our book explains how there are "three different levels of human capacity development: technology literacy, knowledge deepening, and knowledge creation" (Robyler & Doering, 2013, p.21). These skills are considered needed in today's workforce. In order to prepare our students for these needed skills, we must begin using in-classroom techniques that provide such things. Integrating things such as flipcharts and interactive lessons is a great way to engage students with school criteria while also teaching them the skills of development in our world.

Technology Use Based on Problem Solving:

This section of our book really elaborates on how and why technology is so important in our classrooms. It explains how to motive/engage students, support their learning needs, and how we are preparing students for their future (Robyler & Doering, 2013, p.25). Of course there is always a negative side to any situation presented, but I truly believe that using technology is such an important factor for our schools. One big reason I love the idea of utilizing technology in classrooms is because students are allowed to study their criteria in their own ways. They are able to understand it on whatever level they want. Each student is so unique and different in their own ways that this allows them to learn the actual material.

Constructivist vs. Objectivist:

I believe that using interactive lessons and flipcharts are a constructivists method. The book explains how constructivist "construct all knowledge in their minds by participating in certain experiences" (Robyler & Doering, 2013, p.37).  Students are able to participate in these experiences using the interactive technology instead of writing down notes and memorizing test material which they are bound to forget the moment after the test is done.

Flipchart:

I chose a flipchart that I would use in my History classroom. http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/common/WebLink.aspx -- I really like this flipchart because it is extremely organized and easy to use. It explains the material well and gives lesson plans as well as resources for the students. It gives them an assignment, but also brings together a discussion at the end. This is great way to involve students in technology. It is easily accessible and I think kids would find it more interesting than a normal lecture. It is always important to engage to student in the material (Robyler & Doering, 2013, p.25). 

M5 - Check out this website about technology integration! http://t.co/uQK88wMciD #ED527UM
— Alex Strickland (@AL4Strick) November 1, 2013