Conclusions
The study indicated that two social studies methods courses could infuse technological skills toward technology considerations. The author concludes that a generic technology course was not necessary for the students to learn technological skills.
Clearly the richness of the technology aspect of the methods courses required much more professor preparation planning and time, and also involved supplemental lessons taught by technologists. The ongoing demand of NCATE Program Reports, federal and state assessments, curricular redesign, and ongoing university course alignments require course and professor time as well.
Modern technology skills and instruction greatly exceed the expectations of those in the past decade. The author concludes that the social studies program of study should incorporate a specific high-level technology course; thus allowing for technology skills to be “infused” in the social studies methods courses.
While the author concludes that the technology infusion is successful, the time demands of current technology and program assessments lead the author to conclude that basic technology skills are best taught in an independent technology course and then finely tuned in the social studies methods course.
References
International Society for Technology in Education (1996). National educational technology standards. Eugene, OR.
Lee, J. K. (2008). Toward democracy: Social studies and TPCK. In the AACTE Committee on Innovation and Technology (Ed.), Handbook of technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPCK) for educators (pp. 129-144). New York: Routledge.
National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (1994). NCATE standards: Unit standards. Washington, D.C.
National Council for the Social Studies. (1971). Social Studies Curriculum Guidelines, Washington, DC: NCSS
National Council for the Social Studies. (2000). National standards for social studies teachers, Washington, DC: NCSS
Wright State University (n.d.). Conceptual Framework. Retrieved from
http://www.cehs.wright.edu/main/conceptual-framework.php
Wright State University (n.d.). Technology in the College of Education and Human Services.
Retrieved from http://www.cehs.wright.edu/technology/index.php.
Appendix A
Some examples of candidate’s PowerPoint Lessons are located at
http://cehs.wright.edu/~rhelms/Portfolio_Pages/PPT/PPT_SEC.htm
Candidates are encouraged to review and to borrow ideas in developing their own classroom lessons. Candidates’ lessons that illustrate state and NCSS standards may be viewed at
http://cehs.wright.edu/~rhelms/Portfolio_Pages/PPT/SocStdy_SEC.htm.
Candidate resource units are available at
http://cehs.wright.edu/~rhelms/Portfolio_Pages/PPT/RUSec.htm.
Global education units are available at
http://cehs.wright.edu/~rhelms/Portfolio_Pages/PPT/GlobalEducationalUnits.htm.
Other aspects of globalization are available at
http://cehs.wright.edu/~rhelms/Prof_Pages/Globalization.html.
Candidate presentations on aspects of diversity are viewed at
http://cehs.wright.edu/~rhelms/Portfolio_Pages/PPT/ed_301/ed301studpres.html.
Appendix B
Please complete the following survey by selecting one of the choices (indicating your best estimate of your skill or knowledge level) about each of the technology or social studies related indicators.
Survey Key:
A = Strongly Agree
B = Somewhat Agree
C = Neutral
D = Somewhat Disagree
E = Strongly Disagree
Part One: Technology Indicators
As an education student I currently have the following knowledge, skill or ability:
1. Solve common printing problems
2. Use advanced features of a word processor (tables, headers and footers, macros, table of contents, columns, etc.)
3. Copy a graphic from a Web site
4. Create and use bookmarks/favorites
5. Cut, copy, and paste text both within an application and between multiple open applications
6. Merge information from a database into a word processing document (mail merge)
7. Download and decompress files
8. Subscribe and unsubscribe from a mailing list (listserv)
9. Scan a document
10. Create a Web page
11. Create and maintain backups
12. Open a file from a floppy disk or a local or network hard drive; save a file to a floppy disk or
13. to a specific location on a local or network hard drive
14. Configure computer to connect with network
15. Reduce, enlarge, or crop a graphic and convert graphics from one file format to another
16. Format/initialize a disk
17. Setup computer system and connect peripheral devices
18. Record an audio file or digitize a video clip
19. Access a specific Web page (URL) and search the Web using a variety of tools
20. Install application software
21. Create an electronic presentation
22. Manage names and groups in an address book
23. Create, copy, move, rename, and delete folders
24. Send e-mail messages and send/receive attachments
25. Use formulas and/or functions in a spreadsheet
26. Create a graph from spreadsheet data
27. Allocate memory to an application (Mac only)
28. Start up and shut down the computer; open and close an application/program; insert and eject a removable disk (floppy disk, CD-ROM)
29. Create a report (query/find request) in a database and sort the results
30. Correct a locked-up computer
Part Two: Professional Preparation Performance Profile
As an education student I currently have the following knowledge, skill or ability:
32. Identify the benefits of technology to maximize student learning and facilitate higher order thinking skills
33. Differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate uses of technology for teaching and learning while using electronic resources to design and implement learning activities
34. Identify technology resources available in schools and analyze how accessibility to those resources affects planning for instruction
35. Identify, select, and use hardware and software technology resources specially designed for use by PK/12 students to meet specific teaching and learning objectives
36. Plan for the management of electronic instructional resources within a lesson design by identifying potential problems and planning for solutions
37. Identify specific technology applications and resources that maximize student learning, address learner needs, and affirm diversity
38. Design and teach technology-enriched learning activities that connect content standards with student technology standards and meet the diverse needs of students
39. Design and peer teach a lesson that meets content area standards and reflects the current best practices in teaching and learning with technology
40. Plan and teach student-centered learning activities and lessons in which students apply technology tools and resources
41. Research and evaluate the accuracy, relevance, appropriateness, comprehensiveness, and bias of electronic information resources to be used by students
42. Discuss technology-based assessment and evaluation strategies
43. Examine multiple strategies for evaluating technology-based student products and the processes used to create those products
44. Examine technology tools used to collect, analyze, interpret, represent, and communicate student performance data
45. Integrate technology-based assessment strategies and tools into plans for evaluating specific learning activities
46. Develop a portfolio of technology-based products from course work, including the related assessment tools
47. Identify and engage in technology-based opportunities for professional education and lifelong learning, including the use of distance education
48. Apply online and other technology resources to support problem solving and related decision making for maximizing student learning
49. Participate in online professional collaborations with peers and experts
50. Use technology productivity tools to complete required professional tasks
51. Identify technology-related legal and ethical issues, including copyright, privacy, and security of technology systems, data, and information
52. Examine acceptable use policies for the use of technology in schools, including strategies for addressing threats to security of technology systems, data, and information
53. Identify issues related to equitable access to technology in school, community, and home environments
54. Identify safety and health issues related to technology use in schools
55. Identify and use assistive technologies to meet the special physical needs of students.
Author
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Ronald G. Helms, is a full professor, one of two national auditors for NCSS NCATE Program Reviews, a member of NCATE Board of Examiners, National Board for Professional Teacher Standards facilitator, and the Principal Investigator at Wright State University for a NBPTS institute. Helms is active with OCSS and NCSS for the past 45 years, and is currently serving on the Teacher of the Year Committee and the NCSS/NCATE Program Review Committee.
Correspondence can be sent to College of Education and Human Services, Wright State University, 321 Allyn Hall, Centerville, Ohio, 4549.
Email: ronald.helms@wright.edu
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