Advantages
of Integrating Technology
Technology can be extremely helpful in the field of
social sciences. Digital Storytelling can
use pictures and sounds to make the description of historical events easily accessible.
(Roblyer and Doering, 2013, 340). Also, if students are studying the field of
geography, Geospatial technologies can
be used to observe maps and what not. However, I feel that the biggest
advantage of integrating technology with social sciences is the use of electronic research. It is stated by
Roblyer and Doering (2013) that “Internet sources give students and teachers
up-to-date information they could not obtain easily from other sources.” (341).
The use of substantive sources are essential when observing history since
sources of information are what compose the entire field altogether. Technology
in the form of electronic research makes
much needed information readily available.
http://www.jstor.org/
This is a reliable archive site filled with countless academic resources that
make electronic research easy relating to the field of social sciences.
Disadvantages
of Integrating Technology
Although I feel that technological integration in
the field of social sciences is an overall positive thing, there are still some
cons. Ironically, the biggest con involves an aspect of what I feel is
technology integrations’ biggest advantage, online
research. Roblyer and Doering (2013) reference an article by Harp (1996)
exclaiming “technology has opened the history classroom door to a dizzying
array of data, artifacts, and perspectives. Helping teachers to make sense of
it all is more than half the battle.” (349).With such a vast amount of
resources that are extremely easy to edit, primary sources do have the
possibility to be watered down. Proper precautions must be made to ensure
legitimate research.
http://primarysource.org/
This is an organization committed to keeping substantive education alive and
well in today’s extremely fast and integrated global community.
Specific
Activities, Programs, Etc.
An ideal activity in a social sciences class room
studying geography would involve the use of Google
Earth. This program allows users to observe world environments. (Roblyer
and Doering, 2013, 341). Students could visualize maps with “real life”
accuracy giving them a better vision of the world. The software is also free a
readily available to the public. (Roblyer and Doering, 2013, 342). This
interactive and precise representation of geography could also makes students
excited and engaged.
Online research is a huge challenge, especially with all the questionable web sources out there. Teaching digital literacy will be key in helping navigate this disadvantage (Robyler & Doering, 267).
ReplyDeleteEven though Roblyer and Doering (2012) say that tools like Google Earth are "becoming some of the most popular technologies in the K-12 classroom," I would have never thought it use it (p. 341). It would be much more visually appealing than just looking at a map, and would be much more enjoyable to use as well. Not only that, but students could all have access to it, and work with it at their own pace.
ReplyDeleteI am a complete believer in using Google Earth for geography. Roblyer and Doering (2012) state that Google Earth, "...is free and the foundation of numerous geography learning activities" (p.343). This is completely unlike ArcGIS which has better graphics, but costs about $1000 dollars for a year license on one computer.
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