The authors describe the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) applications like ChatGPT to address the challenges faced in social studies education and develop strategies for its effective integration into the classroom. This includes identifying the ethical implications of AI, its impact on assessment methods, and opportunities for…

Game-based learning not only contributes to a learning environment that is interesting and engaging for students but also fosters collaboration while meeting educational goals. Recognizing the potential of digital games to promote primary-source use for discovery and problem-solving, the Library of Congress established funding to advance the…

Barbara Cruz describes how what began as a challenge (i.e., finding or justifying the time to spend on history instruction in an environment of high-stakes testing) turned into a rich learning experience for students using historical fiction. By designing experiences that were literacy centered but based in historical content, this group of…

In this article, the author shares what he learned at the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Annual Meeting held in November 2009 in Atlanta. At NCSS 2009, the author realized how far behind he is with technological advances applied to classroom instruction. Many school districts and individual schools prevent students from using cell…

The authors developed and implemented a project for high school geography students that modeled the processes in a site selection analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). They sought to explore how spatial thinking could be fostered by using the MyWorld GIS software that was designed specifically for educational uses. The task posed…

The release of Apple's iPad was met with great enthusiasm by educators and schools. Yet, if this new technology is retrofitted to traditional teaching activities its full potential will go unrealized. The presence of iPads alone will not generate transformative educational experiences in the social studies; however, the appropriation of the device…

In this article, the authors discuss podcasting and provide ways on how to create podcasts. A podcast is an audio or video file that is posted on the web that can easily be cataloged and automatically downloaded to a computer or mobile device capable of playing back audio or video files. Podcasting is a powerful tool for educators to get students…

In social studies, the incorporation of technology presents some unique opportunities. With such innovations as blogging, interactive mapping, digital resources and others entering social studies classrooms, there is great potential for teachers, but it is hard to know where to begin. In this article, the authors focus on one familiar, yet rapidly…

This article presents a compilation of computer resources for elementary and secondary social studies. Included are books, software directories, periodicals, journal articles on classroom applications, selected software with ordering information, and information about on- line data bases. (JDH)

In social studies classes, there is a longstanding interest in how societies evolve and change over time. However, as stories of the past unfold, it is often difficult to identify a direct link between causes and effects, so students are forced to accept at face value the interpretations of economists, political scientists, historians,…

Guidelines developed by the National Council for the Social Studies to help teachers eveluate and select social studies microcomputer software are presented. The guidelines are organized around three areas: knowledge, skills, and values. Additional systems for evaluating technical and instructional computer courseware issues are cited. (RM)

A file management computer program that allows secondary social studies students to store information on cards on a floppy disk and to retrieve all or parts of the data as needed is described. The program will help students develop information-processing skills in locating, organizing, interpreting, and presenting social data. (RM)

For social studies teachers who want to create their own software, authoring systems and authoring languages offer an interesting avenue to be explored. An authoring system available from Courseware, Inc., (California) and the authoring language PILOT available from Apple Computer (California) are described. (RM)

Describes an activity in which middle school students use the computer software entitles "Community Construction Kit," a computer program, to design buildings for historical and contemporary communities. Addresses the student benefits of both this activity and the "Community Construction Kit" in general. (CMK)

Imagine a classroom where students beam their assignments to the teacher instead of handing them in. Imagine a classroom where technology is ubiquitous yet nearly invisible. Imagine a classroom where all students simultaneously work together using technology. This is the reality for students in the fifth grade classroom of Jan Kelly, an elementary…