Computers have not revolutionized social studies curricula because so few teachers use them. But research does indicate that computers are flexible instructional tools that can assist in the development of attitudes, intellectual motivation, and inquiry skills. Social studies educators need to consider expanded computer use in their classrooms because computers assist in the preparation of students for effective participation in society. Teachers must understand how technology affects instruction, learning, and classroom environments, along with the types of effective instructional strategies that can be used to achieve specific goals. Educators should acquire the knowledge and experience needed to use computers by reviewing research relating to computer use in teaching and to instructional strategies. Information on research concerning the impact of computers on students, how computers change the way teachers' work, computers' effect on the training process, and computers' influence on the social studies curriculum is included. Necessary teacher competencies and appropriate instructional uses are explored through an analysis of teacher utility programs, databases, data analysis programs, and simulations. A 76-item bibliography concludes the document. (JHP)

Computer Literacy: Issues and Directions for 1985 is based on a conference entitled "National Goals for Computer Literacy in 1985", held in Reston, Virginia, on December 18-20, 1980, under the auspices of the National Science Foundation. The conference provided a forum for discussing views on computer literacy, as well as methods for infusion of computer-related objectives and activities into existing curricula for different age levels. Issues and barriers to developing national goals for achieving a computer-literate society in the United States are also examined. Comprised of 31 chapters, this book begins by presenting four major approaches to a perspective on computer literacy: impact of computer literacy on the citizenry; major national components of a computer literacy program; development of an information handling curriculum for an evolving computer literacy concept; and a 30-year historical overview of "computer events in three strands" (research/development/technology, education, and social/political institutional). The next section considers the definitions and requirements of computer literacy as they impact society, students, and teachers. The use of the computer in cognitive research and in problem solving is also discussed, together with curriculum development in computer literacy. This monograph will be of interest to students, teachers, school administrators, and educational policymakers.

Presenting an introduction to computing and advice on computer applications, this book examines hardware and software with respect to the needs of the social scientist. It offers a framework for the use of computers, with focus on the 'work station', the center of which is a personal computer connected to networks by a telephone-based modem.

Controversial Issues in Social Studies Education in Turkey: The Contemporary Debates consists of different research each analyze a controversial topic that is significant to understand the social and political dynamics of Turkish society and culture. One of the purpose of this volume is to analyze and discuss how various controversial issues are perceived by Turkish educators. It also provides insight about how to think and re-organize education both in Turkey and in a global world by taking perceptions of in-service and pre-service social studies teachers on controversial issues and how to teach about them in the Turkish context into consideration. Lastly, it may provide educators and researchers who are interested in teaching and examining such issues with a holistic view.

First released in the Spring of 1999, How People Learn has been expanded to show how the theories and insights from the original book can translate into actions and practice, now making a real connection between classroom activities and learning behavior. This edition includes far-reaching suggestions for research that could increase the impact that classroom teaching has on actual learning. Like the original edition, this book offers exciting new research about the mind and the brain that provides answers to a number of compelling questions. When do infants begin to learn? How do experts learn and how is this different from non-experts? What can teachers and schools do-with curricula, classroom settings, and teaching methodsâ€"to help children learn most effectively? New evidence from many branches of science has significantly added to our understanding of what it means to know, from the neural processes that occur during learning to the influence of culture on what people see and absorb. How People Learn examines these findings and their implications for what we teach, how we teach it, and how we assess what our children learn. The book uses exemplary teaching to illustrate how approaches based on what we now know result in in-depth learning. This new knowledge calls into question concepts and practices firmly entrenched in our current education system. Topics include: How learning actually changes the physical structure of the brain. How existing knowledge affects what people notice and how they learn. What the thought processes of experts tell us about how to teach. The amazing learning potential of infants. The relationship of classroom learning and everyday settings of community and workplace. Learning needs and opportunities for teachers. A realistic look at the role of technology in education.

In this revolutionary book, a renowned computer scientist explains the importance of teaching children the basics of computing and how it can prepare them to succeed in the ever-evolving tech world. Computers have completely changed the way we teach children. We have Mindstorms to thank for that. In this book, pioneering computer scientist Seymour Papert uses the invention of LOGO, the first child-friendly programming language, to make the case for the value of teaching children with computers. Papert argues that children are more than capable of mastering computers, and that teaching computational processes like de-bugging in the classroom can change the way we learn everything else. He also shows that schools saturated with technology can actually improve socialization and interaction among students and between students and teachers. Technology changes every day, but the basic ways that computers can help us learn remain. For thousands of teachers and parents who have sought creative ways to help children learn with computers, Mindstorms is their bible.