Chapter 6 Toward democracy: Social studies and TPCK (Abstract and Synthesis) By Tara and Abby

Abstract

Social Studies is made up of many different disciplines which makes it as complicated in nature as is TPCK. It is very possible for technology to be added in and built-in in the curriculum of social studies. The main area that technology can be incorporated into the curriculum of social studies is through digital resources such as the Internet. This allows students to work in a non-linear environment and also to build critical literacy skills. When using the Internet to find historical resources and other material useful in the classroom students are sorting through material that is not well organized or arranged which is not a style of reading most students are familiar with.

The Internet is a wealth of information that can be used within the classroom to aid teachers and students in the learning process. Beyond using the Internet to learn critical literacy skills students can also use it as a tool to present information and create a forum for collaboration and communication between students. Teachers can also use the Internet and other technology to aid lessons in the field of social studies. There are many resources that are available to aid in history lessons and it is possible for teachers to promote understandings of spatial, human and physical systems. There are also possibilities for teachers to expand social experiences and to encourage economic literacy through the use of technology.

Social studies is a course meant to teach citizenship skills. Technology makes this more possible by providing real world experiences and involving experts in the classroom through communication and other collaborative tasks. Above all through using technology it is possible for the teacher in the classroom to make social studies more “authentic, critical, active” and meaningful to students.

Synthesis

Pedagogical actions framing teaching and learning
Everybody felt that social studies has a lot of freedom to use technology. Students need technological skills to be competitive in the real world. As educators we need to help students become prepared. Using technology has so many opportunities for our students.

We were in agreement that guiding students through the internet is important. Students need to be able to evaluate the information they find on the web. Also learning how to research is an invaluable tool that will contribute to becoming an effective citizen. Many of the responses talked about how students go to “google” or “ask” and type in the entire question. Students need to be taught how to use effective researching skills.

Almost everyone talked about helping students use non-linear text. Reading digital media is much different for many people. Part of using technology is teaching students digital reading strategies. The author of the chapter says, “Social studies teachers are working to develop critical medial literacy skills among their students.”

Negative Implications?
Many of the responses talked about the negative ways that students are using technology. Facebook, myspace, and texting were just a few that were talked about. The responses seemed a bit divided in that technology is hindering student education compared to advancing student education. Most responses did agree that teaching them, “Etiquette, responsibility, rights, safety and security” is the way to go. (Lee, p. 138) Lee also does a good job acknowledged these fears and provided suggestions and ideas that could help in a classroom.

Final Thought
Every response stated in someway that they took something away from the chapter that they could use in their teaching.


Websites:

Pre-K - United Streaming

Elementary-Apples 4 the Teacher

Middle School - Best History Sites

High School-Teachnology