Social Studies

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Case Study

Members of the social studies and educational technology teams at the Curry Center for Technology and Teacher Education have developed a case study to be used in social studies methods courses. The web-based case provides realistic problems faced by classroom teachers in an easily accessed environment. The purpose of this case study is to engage preservice teachers to think about some of the possibilities of technology-based instruction in their future social studies classrooms.

The scenarios presented here provide a glimpse into the life of a social studies classroom teacher. A number of authentic, complex issues relate to student research and instructional technology. Identification and informed examination of these issues calls upon the preservice teacher to not only reflect on the described teaching methods, but also to hypothesize alternative instructional strategies.

Although Social Studies methods teachers and preservice social studies students benefit from case studies, this case has been used in introductory computer courses for preservice teachers with various disciplines. The case requires thoughtful discussions that propose solutions to the issues presented in each scene. The issues are current, relevant, and timely in today's educational climate.

Social Studies Meets Technology: Reflections of a First Year Teacher
First-year teacher Julia designs a unit that will introduce her students to the Bill of Rights. She attempts to implement what she learned in her methods courses and encourages them to use technology to investigate the continuing significance of these essential freedoms.