The use of technology in the Social Studies classroom, I believe, is advantageous beyond measure. It is a subject where technology was not often used while I was in school, however, the discipline would benefit greatly with increasing the integration of technology in the classroom. Of course with the numerous advantages of using technology in Social Studies classrooms, there are bound to be a few disadvantages as well.
Advantages of Integrating Technology
The most important advantage, in my opinion, is the sheer level of engagement by students when technology is used in the classroom. More specifically, the use of technology in Social Studies provides students with access to updated information about the world. "Social studies instruction is designed to help us discover and better understand our world and its people, and technology based strategies have become integral to this instruction" (Roblyer, 2016, p.336). By definition, Social Studies is the study of the world and technology allows students to be connected to the world in which they are studying. The access to information also includes the benefit of accessibility to primary sources via the Internet. Another major benefit of the use of technology in Social Studies is the ability to simulate important historic events or locations. "Simulations allow students to take part in historical situations that would not otherwise be possible due to historical or physical distance" (Roblyer, 2016, p. 340). The following link: http://www.teachthought.com/the-future-of-learning/technology/how-technology-changed-my-social-studies-classroom/ includes some ideas using simulations in the teaching of Social Studies.
Disadvantages of Integrating Technology
I believe the biggest disadvantage in using technology in Social Studies classroom is the chance in finding unreliable sources and students basing their work off of these untrustworthy websites. Roblyer (2016) points out, "History has many examples of using manipulated images to control people's impressions and opinions" (p.341). Students are no exception to this statement and are often influenced by false information on the Internet. Roblyer (2016) also explains that as teachers we need to teach our students digital citizen skills, "These skills include analyzing images for hidden meaning and telling fact from fiction in articles, reports, and websites" (p.341). The other major disadvantage to using technology in a Social Studies classroom is the risk of altering the relationship between teacher and students through the phenomenon of "Information Explosion". Although accessibility to sources and information is an overall positive, Roblyer (2016) discusses how it could alter the traditional relationship between students and teacher because "teachers are no longer to primary source of facts or opinions" (p.339). The following link explains the dangers of "Information Explosion" and its effect on information literacy: https://jacquelynpwhite.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/theeffectsoftheinformationexplosiononinformationliteracyedits-doc.pdf
Specific Activities, Programs, Etc.
Simulations: ex. Oregon Trail or Muzzy Lane's Making History
Critiquing Information Resources: ex. Don't Buy It (PBS Kids) or Photo Forgery (NY Times Article)
Electronic Research Resources: ex. Ellis Island Records
Information Visualization Resources: ex. Time Liner XE software
Virtual Field Trip: ex. Colonial Willamsburg website or Explore Ancient Egypt website
Adventure Learning: ex. The Jason Project
Digital Storytelling: ex. PBS Civil War (National Archives and Records Administration)
Geospatial Analysis Strategies: ex. Geocaching or Teaching with GIS
