Technology Integration at the University Level: An Analysis of an Elementary Social Studies Methods Course

• Published in: Contemporary issues in technology and teacher education Vol. 4; no. 3; pp. 313 - 322
• Main Authors: Rock, Tracy, Passe, Jeff
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education 2004
• Subjects: Administrators; Curriculum Development; Economic Factors; Elementary Education; Elementary School Students; Elementary School Teachers; Higher Education; Methods Courses; Political Influences; Social Influences; Social Studies; Teacher Education; Technology; Technology Integration; Technology Uses in Education; United States (Southeast)
• ISSN: 1528-5804; 1528-5804

The authors begin their discussion with the Tanner and Tanner (1995) model of "Curricular Sources and Influences" to explain the development of the K-12 school curriculum. The model shows the school curriculum in the center of a circle. Around the circumference of the circle are political influences, social influences, economic influences, and technological influences. These four types of influences affect each other as they help determine the curricular decisions made by school boards, administrators, teachers, parents, and students. In this article, the authors focus on a series of curricular changes in a single course, Elementary Social Studies Methods, over a 10-year period. Although there were many adaptations and adjustments in the course, this analysis will examine only attempts to integrate technology education into the course. The Tanner and Tanner model will guide the discussion.