I found an article at http://www.readingonline.org/articles/tancock/index.html that was titled Reading, Writing, and Technology: A Healthy Mix in the Social Studies Curriculum. This article discusses how to integrate technology into a social studies curriculum with students between ages 9 and 10. The article introduces how students know how to use technology when developing projects and writing about a certain topic. To prepare our students for this society, we as teachers need to challenge our students with problem solving skills, applying information, and to access data. It is important for teachers to effectively integrate technology into all content areas to help students expand their knowledge and skills. The article states that teachers do not have time to preview sites or use software in the classroom, and I disagree with this statement. I think this article is describing teachers that are set in their ways of doing things when technology was not as accessible.
The project that this article describes is on how to integrate a social studies curriculum in a creative and significant way to help develop reading and writing skills. Technology is used to help students of all abilities; such as cultural, literacy skills, and ability. Several teachers applied for a small grant which they received on integrating technology into the curriculum. This grant allowed them to focus on how to begin the process of integrated technology into a social studies curriculum to enhance reading and writing skills. They decided to split the project into two parts; one to create WebQuests for each region and two to design presentations on various regions using Microsoft’s PowerPoint software. To enhance their experience the teachers purchased a data projector, which allowed the students to interact and be engaged away from the computer. The students were taught how to use search engines to find research useful for their project. The teachers also taught students how to set up PowerPoint, use spell-check, insert graphics, input sound, and use transitions. The parents were able to visit the school to see the presentations and they were extremely impressed with the opportunities and knowledge their children had applied to their projects.
Overall, this project was obviously a huge success for these teachers, students, and parents. It is a fact that technology allows for interesting, exciting learning to take place in the classroom. I believe from reading this article that these teachers successfully taught students how to use technology, which improved their reading, writing, and literacy skills. I was very impressed with this idea, that I plan on meeting with other teachers in my grade level to discuss similar projects. My final regards to this article is that children know how to use technology, but we as teachers need to open up the curriculum into the 21st century world of technology and help to improve these skills in the classroom. Using these technology resources in the classroom will highlight strengths and weaknesses among your students’ abilities to read, write, and comprehend what is necessary for their success.
The project that this article describes is on how to integrate a social studies curriculum in a creative and significant way to help develop reading and writing skills. Technology is used to help students of all abilities; such as cultural, literacy skills, and ability. Several teachers applied for a small grant which they received on integrating technology into the curriculum. This grant allowed them to focus on how to begin the process of integrated technology into a social studies curriculum to enhance reading and writing skills. They decided to split the project into two parts; one to create WebQuests for each region and two to design presentations on various regions using Microsoft’s PowerPoint software. To enhance their experience the teachers purchased a data projector, which allowed the students to interact and be engaged away from the computer. The students were taught how to use search engines to find research useful for their project. The teachers also taught students how to set up PowerPoint, use spell-check, insert graphics, input sound, and use transitions. The parents were able to visit the school to see the presentations and they were extremely impressed with the opportunities and knowledge their children had applied to their projects.
Overall, this project was obviously a huge success for these teachers, students, and parents. It is a fact that technology allows for interesting, exciting learning to take place in the classroom. I believe from reading this article that these teachers successfully taught students how to use technology, which improved their reading, writing, and literacy skills. I was very impressed with this idea, that I plan on meeting with other teachers in my grade level to discuss similar projects. My final regards to this article is that children know how to use technology, but we as teachers need to open up the curriculum into the 21st century world of technology and help to improve these skills in the classroom. Using these technology resources in the classroom will highlight strengths and weaknesses among your students’ abilities to read, write, and comprehend what is necessary for their success.
2 comments:
I agree with you Travis. I think that it is important for us as teachers to take into consideration the students’ interests and talents in regard to the curriculum. I think that if you want to showcase the students’ best work you have to take the concepts being taught and present it in a way that the students are interested in. Students are interested in technology right now and the teachers have to jump on board. I think that the projects that these teachers developed really showcase teachers that are accepting the technology tools that should be utilized in the classroom. These teachers are not only teaching the curriculum, but also developing the skills that these students will need to use to be successful for the rest of their lives.
Travis-
I think you are completely correct when you said that teachers that say they do not have time to preview sites in the classroom are just set in their ways. I just want to add to that by saying that they probably are a little intimidated and overwhelmed too because technology can be a bit confusing. I think it is all about districts providing staff with information and time to practice learning and using new technology. If a person isn’t taught, exposed to, or given time for practice then how they may not want to incorporate technology into their lessons.
-Hailey
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