Technology has changed social studies instruction in many ways鈥攂ringing primary sources to students鈥� classrooms, allowing access to archival information, and using interactive maps to visualize migration or population trends.
But many of the tools social studies teachers are using鈥攅verything from GoogleEarth to or 鈥攁re not specific to the subject.
Bethany Petty, a technology blogger and American government teacher at Central High School in Park Hills, Mo., uses general technology tools like to produce videos on government concepts, for interactive videos and formative assessments, and game-based to check for understanding.
Many of these creation apps and sites are good tools for helping students collaborate on lessons, detail their knowledge in a meaningful and individualized way, and promote historical and critical thinking, Petty said.
But these are tools that will work in just about any subject. Educators report there are fewer social-studies-specific digital curriculum offerings available than for subjects like math and English/language arts, which are part of the Common Core State Standards.
That seems to be changing. Educators are making use of , , and lesson plans from .
In addition, the sites allowing access to archival information, primary sources, interactive information, and video about everything from ancient Mesopotamia to the Holocaust have changed how students think about what they study. Sites such as the , , , and all offer material that is also adaptable based on grade level and interest, said Rachel Langenhorst, a technology integrationist and instructional coach and former social studies teacher at Rock Valley Community school district in Iowa.
The technology can 鈥渂ring the outside in,鈥� she said.
