Teaching Of Social Studies Essay

Chapter One

Introduction/ Background to the problem

While computer use in schools has grown dramatically over the last few years, the level to which it is used in Social Studies continues to be low compared to other subject areas. According to Becker (1986), only four percent of students in grades 4-8 and six percent in grades 9-12 use computer. The teaching of Social Studies becomes boring and difficult to understand as educators do not develop interesting ways of teaching that will motivate themselves and in turn impact the learner. Too often the teachers are found standing at the front of a class telling students the information rather than teaching them to be an active learner and discovery information for themselves.

The current

“These technologies afford tremendous benefits, including access to information, educational resources, entertainment, social support, and opportunities for development and participation. On the other hand, the increased engagement of young people in digital spaces has also produced new participants in, and witnesses to, the translocation of social problems into the cyberworld” (Berson & Berson, 2005, 2006a, 2006b; Wolak, Mitchell, & Finkelhor, 2006). Such social problems include the exposure of children to information with questionable legitimacy, ideas that can be contrary to positive behaviors, and messages that are intended to manipulate their actions or beliefs.

The researcher strongly believes that since students are familiar with the various digital gadgets and are using them for purposes that do not aid in academic development, in the same scope these gadgets (which are forms of computers) can be used to access instructive content. This will assist in enhancing the learning process which will produce better learning and therefore exam