Software Adds New Dimension To Social Studies
Top 10 cities to visit in the US (TopTipsNews)
January 06, 1998|By Dimitra DeFotis.
BARRINGTON — The 5th graders in Lori Carlson's social studies section were just a little rusty returning from the holiday break Monday.
But once situated, the pupils in Barrington's Roslyn Road School gravitated to computers to chart out their latest project--on Russia and the other republics of the former Soviet Union.
Using a multimedia software called Hyperstudio, they not only reinforced the basics of geography, they learned how to better use technology and solve problems working in groups.
In times past, the pupils would have hovered around pull-down maps as they worked on a geography project.
But with keyboard and mouse, pupils created and colored their own maps in their first exposure to the software.
Within a week, they will present their newfound knowledge to schoolmates instead of merely getting tested on facts.
"They don't retain a lot just from textbook reading . . . with themes of geography," said Carlson, who teaches language arts and social studies. "It is another way for them to demonstrate knowledge."
Most pupils had never used the Hyperstudio technology before. So there was plenty of pecking at the keyboard and erasure of misplaced maps. It took most groups 40 minutes just to create a page with a map and a little text.
Nevertheless, they were making big strides. Barrington Unit District 220 teachers do not use a technology curriculum and most classrooms lack up-to-date computers. Carlson only has three computers powerful enough for multimedia software.
So she intended this week's geography lesson to be part computer skills, part geography.
"It's fun. It's hands-on so you make decisions," said Sarah Lyons, 10, of Lake Barrington. "But it is kind of hard. You have to put facts together to make it work. You have to express your ideas and be calm."