John DeBakey

SLM 521

November 15, 2005

Course Module

Objective: Students will be to examine web sites to determine their relevance and importance in a social studies classroom.

Objective: Students will be able to critique and analyze a journal article.

Objective: Students will be able to use the internet as a research tool in the classroom.

Introduction: With the internet and computer technology becoming such a valuable part of classrooms today, it is important for students to be able to evaluate the websites they use. This skill is particularly necessary in social studies classrooms, where there is a many websites students have access to in order to do research. In today’s world those students who are unable to properly research material through the internet are a step behind every one who can. Also, many social studies sites have interactive links where students and teachers can ask one another questions and have online discussions, which makes the internet personal and interactive. It seems the possibilities of history on the internet are a valuable and necessary tool in the future of social studies classrooms.

Activity: Students must first read the following article Can You Do Serious History on the Web? This article describes some of the advantages and disadvantages of social studies on the internet. After reading the article, students will then view the following sites to get an idea of effective social studies websites.

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/- This is a very detailed history site that focuses on major events in European and United States history. Students also have the ability to take online seminars where they can interact with other students and teachers.

http://www.academicinfo.net/histaateach.html- This site is a great social studies search engine site where students can find links to topic specific sites, teaching guides, and internet source books.

http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/ - This site is wonderful for students because it has great visuals, primary source documents, court cases, and interactive learning exhibits for students and teachers.

http://www.historyteacher.net/ - This site has many links to newspapers, political organizations, and government agencies from around the world. Also, students can take online quizzes and find outlines and information in United States history, global studies, and European history.

Assignment:

1. After viewing the websites and reading the article, students must write a two-page paper describing if they agree or disagree with author’s point of view from the article. Here are some things to consider in your responses:

-What is the author’s point of view?

-What is the future of history-based websites in the classroom?

-Do you agree with the author? Why or why not?

-What are the benefits of using the internet in a history classroom? What are some negative aspects?

2. Students will then evaluate history websites they find themselves. Students must:

1. Find 5 history websites

2. Write an annotated bibliography about the sites they find (this is to be a couple sentences describing the site and why it is important)

2. Cite 3 things they liked about the site

3. Cite 3 things they did not like about the site or something they would change about the site.

This can be done in a Word document and students must have the web address for each site they use.

Submission: Students will email their responses to the instructor as a Word document.

Rubric:

	Unacceptable	Developing	Accomplished
Understanding of the material	The response shows little research on the topic.	The response shows a moderate amount of research on the topic.	The response shows that the participant fully understood the material.
Organization of the material in the response	The organization was presented in an unclear fashion and contains numerous errors.	The organization contained few errors and was semi-difficult to follow.	The organization was easy to follow and the response showed no errors.
Knowledge and originality of the topic.	The response was put together in a hastily manor and showed no originality.	The response was put together with a minimum amount of thought to format or originality.	The response was well thought out and the author showed signs of originality.