Technology in the Social Studies: Where Have We Been Where are we Going

1
Technology in the Social Studies Where Have We
Been? Where are we Going?

• Michelle Ungurait
• Texas Education Agency
• February 8, 2005

2
Where Have We Been?

• 1996 Article for Organization of American
  Historians Spanish America War
• Used methods of intelligence and found websites
  tailor made to each topic
• Example University of Michigan voice library for
  inter/intrapersonal method of intelligence

3
1996/2005 Limitations

• Access to technology by both student and teacher
• Overhead costs for technology and needed support
• Unfamiliarity of integrating technology in both
  time expenditure and correct usage
• Applicability of technology for undefined
  projects (pre-standards curriculum)

4
Texas Essential Knowledge Skills in the Social
Studies

• K-3 Community and Family
• 4th grade Texas History
• 5 grade US History
• 6th grade World Studies
• 7th grade Texas History
• 8th grade US History to 1877

5
TEKS Social Studies in the RHSP

• World Geography
• World History
• US History 1877-Present (yes, the PRESENT, not
  1960!!)
• Government
• Economics
• (no mandated sequence- but US History, WG, and
  WH are ALL assessed on TAKS)

6
Planning with TAKS and TEKS in Mind

• An important point to emphasize is

Taught Curriculum
TEKS
TAKS
7
Social Studies TAKS Objectives

• 1 The student will demonstrate an understanding
  of issues and events in U.S. history.
• 2 The student will demonstrate an understanding
  of geographic influences on historical issues and
  events.
• 3 The student will demonstrate an understanding
  of economic and social influences on historical
  issues and events.
• 4 The student will demonstrate an understanding
  of political influences on historical issues and
  events.
• 5 The student will use critical-thinking skills
  to analyze social studies information.

8
 
9
TAKS 2004 Spring Results
Grades 8 10 at 1 SEM below panel
recommendation. Exit Level remained at 2 SEMs
below panel recommendation.
10
TAKS Conclusions

• Evidence on student results support conclusion
  that students are well prepared for mastery of
  significant social studies skills, and
  remembering significant people, places, and
  events.
• Use the TAKS available data to diagnostic where
  the lack of history or social studies knowledge
  is and plan accordingly.

11
Using Performance Data- Brainstorming

• Parent Communication
• Placement Decisions
• Program and Resource Evaluation
• Staffing Decisions
• District and Campus Curriculum and Instruction

12
Solution(from the College Board)

• The state may want to promote the increase of
  social studies Vertical Teams and access to
  professional development for AP/pre-AP social
  studies teachers.

13
Starting the VT Conversation

• Questions for each district to discuss
• Is there adequate social studies K-5 instruction
  in your district/feeder system?
• Has the district determined how to benchmark
  Social Studies skills K-12?
• Is there a district-defined sequence of social
  studies courses at the high school level?

14
Technological challenges in the Social Studies

• Great need for professional development of
  instructors
• Time saving advice regarding the best manner of
  implementation of technological advances
• Reliable yet creative sources for research
  information
• Sharing among professionals of topical and
  historical information.

15
Technology applications in the Social Studies

• Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for
  Technology Applications
• Primary Resources
• Data analysis
• Problem Solving
• Information Sharing

• Opportunity for awareness and integration
• Web resources
• Software applications
• Large scale technology projects
• Chancery, Blackboard, Individual teacher sites

16
Social Studies Center Curriculum Support

• Primary Resources (World, U.S., Texas documents)
• AP/Pre AP Resources
• Texas Social Studies Toolkit (2000)
• Aligning TEKS with PDAS
• Curriculum Resources Evaluation Form
• Strategies to Teach Social Studies

17
Internet Resources for the Social Studies

• Social Studies Websites NY Times, Gilder
  Lehrhman
• Listserv City (subject civics)Texas Social
  Studies Center, Texas Law Related Education,
  Dirksen Center, Center for Civic Education,
  Constitutional Rights Foundation
• Specialized events AP, National History Day

18
Social Studies Center TAKS help

• TAKS Training Modules
• Data-Driven Decision Making
• Elementary Social Studies Building a Foundation
• World History and World Geography Connecting
  Concepts
• U.S. History
• Economics, Government, and Culture 21st Century
  Citizenship
• Integrating Content and Skills

19
Social Studies Center TAKS help

• Social Studies Info Booklets
• Blueprints
• Released Tests and Results
• Review Activities
• World Geography/World History Correlations

20
Perspectives

• If you study to remember, you will forget, but,
  If you study to understand, you will remember.
  (unknown)
• The essence of intelligence is skill in
  extracting meaning from everyday experience.
  (unknown)
• You cannot teach a man anything you can only
  help him find it within himself. (Galileo)

21
For assistance, contact
Michelle Davidson Ungurait Director, Social
Studies TEA Division of Curriculum
512-463-9581 Michelle.Ungurait_at_tea.state.tx.us