Technology in the social sciences
Social science classes vary quite a great deal depending on the school, however, technology easily integrates into most classes. Below are just a few simple resources for integrating technology into classes such as history, geography, world politics, world issues, law, and civics and careers.
Before students delve into world issues and world politics courses, they may appreciate perusing webpages such as The Guardian or BBC World News. These websites offer basic news from around the world as well as analyses and commentaries. They can access these sites on their own device in class or at home. This activity should be complimented by class discussion and a space where students can ask questions. Padlet.com is an online word wall template where students can post their thoughts and questions on a virtual board that can later be viewed as a document.
In a geography course, students can use Google Earth to navigate the terrain in their own neighbourhood, country or continent. Instead of simply memorizing the different terrain, forests and landscapes out of a textbook, students can see the natural world around them from the safety of their own classroom through the Google Earth images. They can also use this interactive app to see the terrain in different regions around the world.
In a history course, students can watch educational documentaries at TVO.org and YouTube.com. They both offer engaging and detailed documentaries on most major events in history. For more detailed analysis and podcasts from the experts, students may watch short clips on TED talks. These resources lend themselves to critical analysis and a deeper level of thinking. They also allow for a flipped classroom model. This type of learning is complimented by sites such as videonot.es, which allows students to take notes online right beside the video file that they are watching.
One thing many students struggle with is studying and memorizing. Hours need not be spent staring at their notes at home (though they should still develop studying skills). Kahoot! is a website that allows teachers to create their own trivia games online. Review questions can be put into a trivia game that students link to with their phones or computers. This game records who got which answers right so that the teacher has a good indication of what each student is struggling with. This serves as a great and engaging game as well as a concrete review period.
As social science classes are a study of our world, the best approach is to get the students engaged in the world around them! Students should be exploring outside in geography. They should be speaking to veterans in history. They should be visiting different work places in careers and meeting with politically active people in civics. The above resources are just a few ways to use technology as a tool to study the greater world. They are by no means a substitute to personal inquiry and class discussions.
Before students delve into world issues and world politics courses, they may appreciate perusing webpages such as The Guardian or BBC World News. These websites offer basic news from around the world as well as analyses and commentaries. They can access these sites on their own device in class or at home. This activity should be complimented by class discussion and a space where students can ask questions. Padlet.com is an online word wall template where students can post their thoughts and questions on a virtual board that can later be viewed as a document.
In a geography course, students can use Google Earth to navigate the terrain in their own neighbourhood, country or continent. Instead of simply memorizing the different terrain, forests and landscapes out of a textbook, students can see the natural world around them from the safety of their own classroom through the Google Earth images. They can also use this interactive app to see the terrain in different regions around the world.
In a history course, students can watch educational documentaries at TVO.org and YouTube.com. They both offer engaging and detailed documentaries on most major events in history. For more detailed analysis and podcasts from the experts, students may watch short clips on TED talks. These resources lend themselves to critical analysis and a deeper level of thinking. They also allow for a flipped classroom model. This type of learning is complimented by sites such as videonot.es, which allows students to take notes online right beside the video file that they are watching.
One thing many students struggle with is studying and memorizing. Hours need not be spent staring at their notes at home (though they should still develop studying skills). Kahoot! is a website that allows teachers to create their own trivia games online. Review questions can be put into a trivia game that students link to with their phones or computers. This game records who got which answers right so that the teacher has a good indication of what each student is struggling with. This serves as a great and engaging game as well as a concrete review period.
As social science classes are a study of our world, the best approach is to get the students engaged in the world around them! Students should be exploring outside in geography. They should be speaking to veterans in history. They should be visiting different work places in careers and meeting with politically active people in civics. The above resources are just a few ways to use technology as a tool to study the greater world. They are by no means a substitute to personal inquiry and class discussions.