Instructional Software Evaluations for Social Studies

Instructional Software Evaluations for Social Studies

http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/search/?q=&selected_facets=media_type_exact%3AInteractive&selected_facets=grades_exact%3A1&selected_facets=grades_exact%3A2&selected_facets=grades_exact%3A3&selected_facets=grades_exact%3A4&selected_facets=grades_exact%3A5&selected_facets=grades_exact%3A6&selected_facets=supplemental_curriculum_hierarchy_nodes%3A3026&selected_facets=

Purpose and recommendations of Practice for PBS Learning Media

PBS Learning Media has a broad range of topics to integrate for Social Studies. The software allows the students to specify exactly what they are looking to learn more about. The social studies unit is broken down into the following categories: Civics and Government, Elementary Social Studies, Geography, US History, World History, The Arts, and World Languages. A few of the sites I explored provided in depth of content with many visuals and ways to stay engaged. There are also related links to each topic, if a student wants to learn more about a certain era or event in history. Some of the links to this software include: Light pollution, Inside the Voting Booth, Civil War, Benjamin Franklin, Road to Revolution Game, President for the Day, and How does the Government affect me? PBS Learning Media tutorial site that uses direct and constructivist ways of teaching. Students are able to retain knowledge that is read, while enhancing their learning in interactive games and experiences. The sequence of ideas on this software are introduced to students in a sequence that would be instructed in the classroom. Alternative ways to stay engaged and expand on student learning is acquired through the related links and activities to have the student experience what life was like at a certain time in history. 

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/games/

Purpose and recommendations of Practice for National Geographic Kids

National Geographic Kids offers interactive drill and practice games and content. Students are able to explore various topics in social studies such as nature, Earth Day, Geography, and much more. Links such as explore.org can provide students with more of an insight into content presented. Trending topics will scroll across the home screen of the site and provide images and live cams for various experiences. This software provides both direct and constructivist teaching. Students are able to expand on what was learned in class by engaging in games that test their knowledge. National Geographic can be implemented in different medians and accessed for students outside the classroom as well. 

https://kids.usa.gov/social-studies/index.shtml

Purpose of kids.gov and recommendations of Practice

Kids.gov offers resources for both teachers and students. Teachers are able to access webcasts, activities and worksheets, and lesson plans. Students are engaged in problem solving and simulation experiences by exploring a day in the life of another culture, state facts, current events, countries and cultures, maps, games, and videos. All of these learning experiences focus on social studies issues such as Art and Music, Government, Money, Jobs, History, and Social Studies. This software provides a constructivist approach, in which students develop their own knowledge while learning more about these topics and then applying what they know to games and activities. Students develop an understanding of another culture and can shape their ways of learning by making connections and comparing cultures with similarities and differences.