Module 5

Advantages of Integrating Technology

There are plenty of benefits or advantages to using technology while teaching social studies.  One such advantage is it is more engaging.  It holds the students attention for longer and makes learning about social studies more enjoyable.  It is more efficient in managing files and other clerical work on the teacher’s behalf.  Using technology allows teachers to diversify their teaching methods, which allows them to reach more students.  It also allows students to improve their critical thinking skills by looking at more information more in depth. 

Disadvantages of Integrating Technology

            There are a few different disadvantages to integrating technology while teaching social studies.  One disadvantage is how costly it is to provide computers in every school in every classroom.  Not every school can afford to have multiple computers in a single classroom.  Another disadvantage is that not every person is trained how to use every technology so it may lead to improper use or messing up during a lesson.  This could be an issue because as much as we love technology it can sometimes cause more problems than is needed, and if you are not trained in how to use the technology properly to begin with than it will definitely be a disadvantage.  Another disadvantage is that not every site is trustworthy, with a prime example being Wikipedia.  A final disadvantage is that technology can be distracting for some students. 

Specific Activities, Programs, Etc.

            One activity you could have them do is take a digital fieldtrip to many different places they are learning about, like if they are learning about Washington, then their teacher could take them on a digital field trip to Seattle. Digital storytelling is another fun activity that you could use.  It could be used to learn more about historical time periods or people and connect them back to self.  A final activity is critiquing digital information.  

Module 4

Halloween Counting
Halloween Counting Link

The flip-chart I chose is called Halloween Counting-Circle Number (11-20). This flip-chart is a cool interactive way to practice counting up to twenty and is also a cool holiday version as well.  One thing that is really cool is that the flip-chart has a very fun vibe to it and uses different pictures for every counting section.  You can also grab the pictures and move them if that helps the student count them.  This flip-chart works with Promethean board, or hardware.  It also runs on ActivInspire, or the software. By using ActivInspire and Promethean board, the creator allows for people to circle the answer and to have different movable parts in the flip-chart.  You can do this through the use of a special pen that only works on Promethean boards. 

The flip-chart allows for technology use based on problem solving, which is the epitome of the flip-chart being able to keep students engaged in interactive problem solving.  One thing I have noticed is that sometimes students become less interested in what the teacher is doing as the lesson goes along.  Technology can help alleviate this be allowing students to better get involved and by keeping their interest longer.  There are quite a few essential conditions for technology integration.  These might include matching curriculum to the technology, budgeting, and teacher training.  These could possibly obstacles that could prevent your school from integrating technology into you school system. 

If teachers do let their school systems know they need technology, and offer the benefits then they stand a much higher chance of getting technology integrated in.  Teachers do need to recognize that technology integration is not cheap and can be very costly.  Software support tools are very handy, and luckily can be found in the flip-charts.  These tools include data collection and analysis tools,  graphics tools, and my favorite research and reference tools.  A few other tools are materials generators and content area tools.  If you use these tools while creating a flip-chart you increase your chances of creating an engaging lesson.  This in turn will keep the students attention. 

Module 3

Search Engines

Teaching students how to use search engines effectively will allow students to research on multiple subjects without as much help from the teacher.  While teaching them about proper search engine uses, you could teach them the difference between good resources and bad resources.  You should also teach them to type keywords to find information, instead of being too broad it will allow the student to find information only on what they are looking for. 

Web Site evaluation

This video I chose does a good job of listing some steps you could go through to decide whether a site or article is appropriate or a useful source or not.  This would be relevant to my class because I would check the students resources to see if the source is reliable or not.  I would also instruct the students on a few different ways to check to see if a source is reliable or not.  Finally I would show them this video so they have an visual to go with to understand what to look for when checking for a reliable source. 

Favorite web site 1

My first web site of choice is a website called wonderopolis and on it there are many different fun facts along different subjects called wonders.  One of the wonders I saw on the site for example is do monkeys really do what they see.  This information could be read for fun during the student’s computer time and would encourage them to read.  The website contains good visual design and is easy to navigate.  Each wonder also has a video to accompany it, that somehow relates to the topic.  The link is http://wonderopolis.org/

Favorite web site 2

My second website that I like is a wiki called magnificent maps.  This wiki is on a unit based on maps and goes over lots of map related information such as a compass.  This wiki is based on a grade level and subject that I would probable create for my class (history).  Finally this site contains clear text and graphic links.  I might use this wiki if i was going to teach students on maps.  The link is http://magnificentmaps.wikispaces.com/

Module 2

Commercial Hypermedia Product

http://www.turtlediary.com/kids-stories.html  

This hypermedia product is an interactive storybook site.  The websites name is turtle diary.  The site has multiple short stories on it.  It has multiple choices such as biographies, sports, and multiple reading level options.  In each story there are a few things a student can do.  The first thing is that the student can click on the music note to have the book read to him/her.  The student can also scroll over the word and click on it to have it read to him/her.  Each page has a button at the bottom that the student can click to advance pages and another button to go back pages.  It might be useful because during computer time the students can get on and it will help them build on their reading foundations.  Another possible use is that you could introduce it during language arts/ reading stations. 

Chosen Multimedia Authoring Tool

http://www.clubpenguin.com/?home=return

My chosen multimedia authoring tool is a web based VR called club penguin, which is run by Disney.  It is free to create an account and to play the games and customize your penguin.  In this VR you create a penguin and go around playing games, which earns you coins.  The student can then use these coins to buy clothing or pets called puffles, you may also go to parties.  There is a paid for membership that is optional and it gives the student access to more games, and to more clothing options.  In this VR you can own an igloo which the students would be able to customize and each month the setting changes to a new theme, such as a prehistoric theme or something else.   This could be used in the classroom as a reward for being a good student, and it can teach students fiscal literacy.  It can also teach students about ownership through the use of owning a puffle. 

Module 1

Word Processing Software

As a teacher you should use word processing for multiple reasons.  One such reason being that it can save time by allowing you to reuse previous years letters or lesson plans and update them to the current years classroom needs.  It can also allow for collaboration on documents.  One word processing software that could be used is Google docs, because you can save it to the cloud, so the teacher could access the student’s assignment through the cloud.  One downfall of word processing is that it can lead to worsened handwriting.  Using word processing software at young ages is also an issue that some teachers come across, because it may lead to some students not wanting to write, because typing is easier.  

Spreadsheet Software

            As a teacher using spreadsheets saves time on calculations, both the students and the teachers.  Using Spreadsheets also can lead to students wanting to do mathematics more.  This is caused by showing how mathematics works.  The biggest issue with using Spreadsheet in the classroom is encouraging students who are more in fear of math to try it.  

Presentation Software

            As a teacher using a presentation software such as PowerPoint can help organize thinking on a topic.  It also allows the teacher to make a larger impact by making the information easier to understand and allow it to be presented faster. One issue with presentation software is that it tends to be boring.   Another issue is that it can lead to being a substitute for a presentation, completely taking over it and turning the presentation into only a PowerPoint or similar software.  

Classroom Use

            Presentation software can be used in many scenarios in the classroom.  Social studies is one topic I would likely teach with it.  I would incorporate it by using it to summarize important information or events on a given topic.  I would also include pictures of different time periods or of different states to assess what students might know or not know.