points to ponder about technology in social studies

I read an article this week entitled "Using Technology for Powerful Social Studies Learning" that asked questions that should be considered when using technology in the social studies classroom based on the NCSS standards.

As I read the article I began to ask the questions to myself of what I've observed in the World Cultures course of the Virtual School.

Powerful Teaching and Learning Questions to Consider

1. Does the technology-based product help promote meaningful social studies?

Students in the virtual school are receiving meaningful information but are also learning meaningful skills through their social studies courses in the virtual school as students learn networks of knowledge, skills, and values that are useful in and out of school.

2. Does the technology-based product help promote social studies that is integrative?

Social studies through the virtual school is integrative as "the curriculum and instruction address a broad range of content, concepts, generalizations and ideas in an interdisciplinary manner. Relevant information is drawn from the social sciences, history, the arts and the humanities. In this context, the web of information resources available on the Internet has considerable potential for integrative learning."

3. Does the technology-based product help promote value based social studies instruction?

The Social Studies standards state that "Social studies is value based when instruction is directed at having students grapple with the ethical and social policy implications of historical and contemporary issues." Students enrolled in social studies courses in the virtual school are asked to connect current events with historical events that combine ethical issues with textbook questions. Free responses and discussions allow student input their understanding of issues and apply their interpretations into the discussions.

4. Does the technology-based product help in planning social studies instruction that is
challenging?

Unlike the confines of many traditional classrooms the virtual school allows students to work at their own pace and provides the ability for students who are especially interested in certain areas to complete additional coursework. For these reasons I think that the virtual school has the ability to provide a challenging form of instruction that the traditional school often is unable to.

5. Does the technology-based product help in designing learning activities that actively engage students in significant social studies content?

Students in the virtual school are able to "construct knowledge so as to develop important social understandings." Students are also given the opportunity to experience social studies first hand through resources such as virtual field trips that can take the student around the world without ever leaving home or by exchanging cultural information with a class on the other side of the globe.


After answering these questions I definitely think that the virtual school meets all the requirements of of the National Council for the Social Studies.

http://members.ncss.org/se/6103/610306.html