Group items tagged

"Like reading, writing, and arithmetic, web literacy is both content and activity. You don't just learn "about" reading: you learn to read. You don't just learn "about" arithmetic: you learn to count and calculate. You don't just learn "about" the web: you learn to make your own website. As with these other three literacies, web literacy begins simply, with basics you can build upon. For some it can lead to a profession (i.e. becoming a computer programmer) while for most it becomes part of the conceptual DNA that helps you to understand and negotiate the world you live in."

Not specific to social studies but an important article about the importance of web and digital literacies.

Ideas for making the shift to digital texts. The Internet is the best source of content that's ever been. The challenge for schools and districts and parents and famillies and municipalities is getting that information into the hands of our students. It made sense to hand them a book when the experts were far away and the libraries were scarce and only had a few copies of everything. But it doesn't have to be that way now. In fact, in many ways, it's not.

The Internet is the best source of content that's ever been. The challenge for schools and districts and parents and famillies and municipalities is getting that information into the hands of our students. It made sense to hand them a book when the experts were far away and the libraries were scarce and only had a few copies of everything. But it doesn't have to be that way now. In fact, in many ways, it's not.

Writing Beyond Expectations

Scott I see diigo as one way of achieving this. It gets students to reflect on what others have written and they can respond to others. But there are other tools to do this as well. The conversations going on in Jen's AP class are amazing. Almost 150 conversations to date!

"Explore the emerging realms of digital territory where news and information reside-or will soon. It's a place where game playing thrives and augmented reality tugs at possibilities. It's where video excels, while the appetite for long-form text and the experience of "deep reading" is diminished, and it's where the allure of multitasking greets the crush of information. Learn how young people negotiate their journey, and travel inside the brain to discover its capacities in the digital realm. Dig deeper into topics covered in the magazine by clicking on the books in our digital library to reveal selected videos, articles, blogs and Web sites"

"Storify provides endless possibilities for combining media to tell more comprehensive narratives that include multiple perspectives. And while the tool has largely received attention for its journalistic uses, it's not a big leap to see how Storify might be used in classrooms for research and presentations. It's also a valuable tool for teaching media literacy and digital skills, including collaboration."

Great options for classroom use

"Every teacher seems to fully acknowledge how quickly and comfortably the average student adopts new technology. The truth is, students learn how to have fun on an iPad pretty quickly, but they don't always learn how to trouble shoot, be safe, and learn effectively right off the bat. Having a team of students that are well trained in iPad support can help build leadership amongst your students, and will help alleviate the stress on both students and teachers as they learn to adopt this new technology."

"iCivics is a non-profit organization dedicated to reinvigorating civic learning through interactive and engaging learning resources. Our educational resources empower teachers and prepare the next generation of students to become knowledgeable and engaged citizens. Founded and led by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, iCivics provides students with the tools they need for active participation and democratic action, and teachers with the materials and support to achieve this. Our free resources include print-and-go lesson plans, award-winning games, and digital interactives. The iCivics games place students in different civic roles and give them agency to address real-world problems and issues. They are rooted in clear learning objectives and integrated with lesson plans and support materials. iCivics curriculum is grouped into topical units that align to state and Common Core standards. "

Interesting article about integrating tech into learning

"Yesterday, Mashable author, Sarah Kessler, wrote "The Case for Making Online Textbooks Open Source," where she drew attention to programs at MIT and Carnegie Mellon that post lectures and other course materials online for free. "

An Open Educational Resources site OER; in beta now. "Gooru is a search engine for learning that allows you to explore and study over 2,600 standards-aligned and personalized study guides. Study guides cover 5th-12th grade math and science topics, and resources include digital textbooks, animations, instructor videos and more. All resources are vetted and organized by teachers or Gooru's content experts, so you don't have to sort through the mess of subpar educational resources available online yourself. Gooru also makes it easy for you to connect with your worldwide peers to make learning a social experience. Post questions to an active community of students, teachers and experts, or find friends and peers to study with. Best of all, Gooru adapts to you. Based on the topics you study and your performance on self-assessments, Gooru suggests resources and study guides that will help you master the concepts. You can track your study habits and monitor your performance on any of the topics you study."

Not sure what resources are here for social studies but still looks like a very interesting site. Think you should check it out for resources and to share with students.

" Social Media Classroom Using social media to learn about social media issues Today's students live in a world in which all of the traditional elements of their education-texts, lectures, connections with the world outside the campus-have been transformed by the ubiquitous presence of laptops and Wi-Fi. In their lives outside the classroom, and in the lives of their families, communities, and fellow citizens, important questions arise about the effects of using digital media-questions about identity, relationships, community, collective action, public sphere, social capital"

"Schools continue to deliver new graduates into the workplace lacking the tech-based "soft skills" that businesses demand. Experts blame K-12's persistent failure to integrate technology."

Much to think about in this article. Much emphasis on information literacy and digital literacy

"an interactive site that has students analyze a historical photo and make conclusions about the photo.Their job is to figure out what is going on in the photo"

Very interesting site to learn about history and digital literacy

very interesting post on reading and writing. Although not specifically directed at social studies there are many connections to the Soc. Studies classroom

Article is directed at English teachers but lots of ideas for social studies classroom