Social+Studies+&+History

Subject: Social Studies and History

 * ====Technology:====
 * ====Wiki: Free wiki software is available for free use at www.wikispaces.com.====


 * ====Curriculum Standard (Ohio):====
 * ====3rd Grade====
 * ====Theme: Communities: Past and Present, Near and Far====
 * ====Strand: History====
 * ====Topic: Rules and Laws====
 * ====Content Standard:====
 * ====1: Events in local history can be shown on timelines organized by years, decades and centuries.====


 * ====Description:====
 * ====Students will work collaboratively with a WIKI to document major historical events in America. Depth of student participation will be limited in comparison to major, comprehensive WIKIs such as Wikipedia. The teacher will pre-select a collection of historical events and facilitate a democratic selection of the events so that each student has a single event to research and manage on the WIKI.====


 * ====Supporting Research:====
 * ====[|Online Tools for Research--Elementary and Middle School Style.pdf]//,// entitled "Online Tools for Research- Elementary and Middle School Style" includes an in-depth exploration of a class's use of WIKIs. The article focuses on first graders and showcases a classroom where students are able to create a relatively comprehensive WIKI site on animals. This research suggests that students in grade three are capable of creating a WIKI.====
 * ====The article highlights a unique feature of the WIKI software that allows the teacher to track student participation and engagement. Via tools integrated into the WIKI, the educator can track student work progress and the rate of progress completion.====
 * ====The content standard's focus on organization coincides well with the format of the WIKI. Through the use of this technology, students engage in behaviors that involve numerous facets of organization. Students must organize socially to complete the project as well as navigate the managerial challenges that come from a large group effort. In addition, the software and learning of the technology requires a process of organization that works to meet the content standard.====


 * ====Tried and True or New & Innovative:====
 * ====NI: This activity is new and innovative because the use of WIKI technology is new to this age-group. The WIKI software is simple and user-friendly and works well to provide students with skills that will transfer to other subjects and domains. The prevalence and common form of the WIKI means that students can use the technology as they progress in their studies and even function as editors of the famous and major WIKI, Wikipedia.====