Software social studies teachers

This self-efficacy can have a positive impact on overall student motivation. Initially, the focus of learning shifted from social studies content to technology. Technology integration camouflaged the learning process by drawing students into a fun activity that relied on familiar technical skills.

Once students engaged in the task their attention shifted to the content. With the integration of a familiar learning tool, students approached social studies content that they had avoided in the traditional classroom setting.

Students eagerly approached the task when they were able to use an instructional tool with which they had the knowledge, skill, and confidence in using. Typical instructional approaches utilized in social studies classes emphasize ability-related activities such as memorization and rote learning Martorella, In contrast, technology facilitates the development of decision-making and problem-solving, data-processing, and communication skills National Council for the Social Studies, Instruction that builds upon these higher order tasks generates a collaborative learning environment that promotes self-worth and enables students to overcome task-avoidance Covington, Using technology to complete assignments changes the learning environment to focus on mastery learning while promoting cooperative learning.

Class is less structured and diminishes traditional views of competition as a means to motivate. Within this nurturing environment, students are able to rely comfortably on their peers to assist with technical difficulties without fear of social embarrassment.

As presented in the case, increased peer communication and collaboration were positive outcomes of technology integration. Students felt secure in sharing their knowledge and skills with their peers in the noncompetitive computer lab environment. This behavior contrasted with behaviors exuded in the traditional classroom, where students avoided tasks and engagement with their peers.

Despite the recognized positive benefits of technology integration on improving student learning as identified in this case study, caution is advised. Much research exists that challenges the use of technology as positively affecting student learning. The hesitancy of many schools and teachers to openly embrace technology is, in part, related to their concern about the negative effects of technology on students and the educational process.

These tradeoffs of technology can be a detriment to student learning. This article does not contend that technology is the only method for instruction nor it is the only means of motivating students to learn social studies.

Technology alone is insufficient to ensure effective social studies education Staley, However, effective technology integration offers opportunities to enhance social studies instruction and to increase student motivation while preparing students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to become good citizens, which are the fundamental goals of the social studies.

When planning for instruction, social studies teachers need to strongly consider what motivates students to learn. Too often teachers sacrifice student interest for content coverage. In a high stakes testing environment, social studies teachers are entrenched in methods that rely heavily on lecture and discussion. This teacher-centered classroom structure does not offer much opportunity for motivating students to take an interest in social studies content.

To develop a more nurturing and engaging learning environment that promotes cognitive growth, social studies teachers need to incorporate instructional practices that are student centered. By focusing on students, teachers are able to encourage student interest, which translates into increased student motivation to learn. Additionally, teachers should take into consideration that students are individuals and may accomplish the same task for many reasons.

Consequently, social studies teachers should incorporate various instructional methods that provide students with diverse, engaging, and challenging tasks to meet the needs of all students.

This is what technology affords educators and why technology has the potential to impact student motivation positively and, subsequently, student learning.

The potential that technology offers to positively affect student achievement is sufficient reason to integrate technology as a means to motivate students to learn social studies. Ames, C. Motivation: What teachers need to know. Teachers College Record , 91 3 , Anderson, M. Library Talk , 13 1 , Atkinson, J. Motivational determinants of risk-taking behavior. Psychological Review , 64 , Bandura, A. Perceived self-efficacy in cognitive development and functioning. Educational Psychologist , 28 2 , Cultivating competence, self-efficacy, and intrinsic interest through proximal self-motivation.

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , 42, Berson, M. Effectiveness of computer technology in social studies: A review of the literature. Journal of Research on Computing in Education , 28 a4 , Brophy, J.

Conceptualizing student motivation. Educational Psychologist , 18 , Blumenfeld, P. Task as a heuristic for understanding student learning and motivation. Journal of Curriculum Studies , 19 , Cassutto, G. Social studies and the World Wide Web. International Journal of Social Education , 15 1 , Clark, R. Media will never influence learning. Educational Technology, Research and Development , 42 2 , Cornelius, C. Communication abstracts.

Communication and Information Technology , 25 4 , Covington, M. Goal theory, motivation, and school achievement: An integrative review. Annual Review of Psychology , 51 1 , The self-worth theory of achievement motivation: Findings and implications. The Elementary School Journal , 85 1 , Denzin, N. Handbook of qualitative research.

Vincent Van Gogh is one of the most iconic painters of all time, and this virtual tour allows visitors to marvel at the largest collection of his artwork. Explore a variety of remote learning opportunities for students, including virtual field trips Elkhorn Slough , science challenges , walkabouts , and more. The site also offers a teacher resource library. Embark on a virtual field trip that covers three main components: coastal wetlands, algae, and lake sturgeon.

The videos are short and targeted at middle schoolers. Even through a virtual tour on a tiny screen, students will be dazzled by the magnificence and wonder of this thousands-year-old fortification system. From couture ball gowns to a history of music, students will be captivated by the 26 online galleries. These wonderful virtual field trips allow students to explore a coastal rain forest or the coral reefs in the Dominican Republic, and so much more.

Check out the fantastic behind-the-scenes videos and stories. Then, be sure to check out the great list of activities and downloadables. The Seattle Aquarium hosts a minute virtual field trip. Students can learn about the animals and the food web that can be found in the Puget Sound waters.

This incredibly cool and responsive website allows students to explore more than 60, stars, watch sunrises, search for planets, and more! These self-guided virtual tours give students an up-close look at permanent, current, and past exhibits.

Perfect for K-8 social studies students, this site includes curriculum content, online learning videos, and quizzes along with a list of the corresponding national and state Standards. The best way to experience Yellowstone is to visit. The second best way is to explore the cool interactive maps and, of course, the live stream of the Old Faithful Geyser eruptions. Other popular bookmarking tools are Diggo and Pocket. Explee is a video scribing tool that simulates the effect of sketchnoting and allows students to find and add images, text, video clips or audio to a workspace.

MackinVIA is a free database of primary sources. And, crucially, the service offers many digital copies of the same books or articles, which has eliminated any fighting over books that might have taken place around big research projects in the past. BookFlix is a tool Langenhorst uses to get lower elementary level students interested in non-fiction.

TrueFlix is the version for older kids. Symbaloo is an organizational tool Langenhorst has found to be helpful in libraries and social studies classes, especially with younger students. The desktop or mobile app helps keep track of websites students are often using, displaying them as an easy-click icon. Kids can quickly click on the application they need, eliminating slow typing and saving a lot of class time.

They can put all their resources on a timeline or in a brainstorming web. Founded by Sandra Day O'Connor, iCivics puts students in civic roles and asks them to solve real-world issues. The games have great audio, decent video and feel like commercial games. Langenhorst prefers it because students have a lot of choice over stylistic changes to make it their own.

Padlet is a digital bulletin board that has been around for several years and is often cited as a favorite among educators. It is free for a trial period and then five dollars per teacher after that. In a social studies context, she likes the interactive maps and the opportunity to build interactive timelines.

She even uses Padlet with new teachers to help them organize all the content that can overwhelm new hires. Flipsnack allows students to create a short interactive book 15 pages on a free account.

Langenhorst likes Flipsnack better than other similar products because it simulates the sound of turning pages and feels like she is actually flipping through a book.

Livebinders are basically digital three-ring binders, great for keeping track of stuff that might otherwise be printed and stuck in a drawer somewhere. Seterra Geography Tutor 3.

Covers all parts of the world. Includes quizzes and map exercises. Runs in several different languages.

Each exercise has a high score list. Atlas of World History - Map Animation This free map animation software is an interesting way to visualize history!