Integrating Technology in S.S.

Social Studies tends to be a dull subject matter in the traditional classroom, well that was until teachers began integrating technology in their classrooms. Of course, we’re not supposed to use technology for the sake of using technology. Teachers have to plan and collaborate their Social Studies lessons accordingly, so the students can be successful in their learning. The social studies teacher in today's classroom can use technology to extend learning opportunities for K-12 students. Teacher education faculty can most effectively take full advantage of technology by introducing students to activities in which skills and content are taught more actively and meaningfully (Berson, 2000). Using the digital archives of primary sources available online through the Virginia Center for Digital History, students can conduct historical research to construct the significance of people and events in history. These materials provide students with the opportunity to access, manipulate, and interpret raw materials of our past. Methods teachers can use are the archives such as these to model lessons that engage students in historical inquiry (Berson, 2000). These lessons can actively engage students in the construction and interpretation of American history. Teachers must not simply acquire skills that make them proficient at using technology, but also learn how to use technology to make their teaching better than it would be without it. Therefore, preservice instruction enabling teachers to integrate technology seamlessly into lessons is more productive than technology instruction that merely teaches teachers how to use specific computer skills. Many teachers go to technology trainings on how to integrate the lesson with technology. Teachers are content and feel confident about the application, but then here comes the actual lesson and the teacher gets stuck and she finally just puts the integration of technology aside (Ehman, 1991). Well, this is where teachers need help, we need to go to a hands on training that will teach us exactly what we’re suppose to do. We need to get followed up on and revisit the training as needed.