INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGY ACTIVITIES

INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGY ACTIVITIES

TO 7^TH AND 8^TH GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS AND

SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM

By Dana Matousek

I proposed that a beneficial activity for me to meet my professional goals would be to study and compare the NETS and Arizona Standards for Technology to the curriculum already developed by the Peoria Unified School District as taught to seventh and eighth grade students. Further, I planned to compile a variety of technology activities that would correlate with the seventh and eighth grade Language Arts and Social Studies curriculum. Being that my goal at this point is to become a seventh and eighth grade technology teacher, paralleling my learning and appreciating the philosophies of learning technology in a constructive manner, I created tentative possibilities for aligning technology to many of the main concepts in the Social Studies curriculum, which in turn also fit into some of the Language Arts curricular content.

First, I cross referenced all of the NETS standards to State standards for technology. Then, I referenced all technology curriculum to NETS and State standards. I then reviewed the Language Arts and Social Studies curriculum for seventh and eighth grade contents, thus allowing me to develop aligned activities.

During my research/comparison, I found that the Peoria Technology curriculum is primarily aligned to the NETS as opposed to the Arizona State Standards. The curriculum is more detailed than the NETS but includes more meaningful activities than those detailed in the state standards.

A brief overview of the seventh and eighth grade NETS, Arizona State Standards for Technology and the Peoria Unified School District’s Technology curriculum follows:

P.U.S.D. Technology Curriculum

Social, Ethical and Human Issues (aligned with NETS 2, State 3,4)

care and handling of computers/software
end project
responsible usage of information gained and given via technology
how network systems are protected from viruses
role of technology in a variety of careers
copyright laws, violations and penalties
safety procedures related to sharing personal information
public vs. private data
behavior guidelines for computer usage
impact of technology on the lives of American people and society

(P.U.S.D. Curriculum Cont.) Matousek 2

Communication Tools (aligned with NETS 4, State 2)

use e-mail
research using the Web
promotion of global community through telecommunications
communications hardware and software
use internet bookmarks
search and retrieve on-line documents
establish credibility of on-line resources
extend self-directed learning through telecommunications
multi-media problem solving collaboration

Productivity Tools (aligned with NETS 1,3; State 1)

operate hardware and software
file management skills
network system functions
imaging devices
internet browser
basic technical problem solving
network system/stand alone computer system comparison
computer advertising evaluation

Graphic Design and Web Design (grade 7)

technology terminology related to oral and written communication
peripheral devices to create graphic illustrations for web pages
graphic design to create personal home page
develop WWW page based on class research project
technological integration into content curriculum

Multimedia (grade 8)

technology terminology related to oral and written communication
peripheral devices to create multimedia presentations
video production
multimedia presentations with productivity tools
multimedia presentation communicating ideas and research with principles of layout and design
non-linear products representing learning (electronic portfolios)
technological integration into content curriculum

Web Design (grade 8)

maintain and enhance personal web page

Matousek 3

NETS Technology Foundation Standards

Basic Operations and Concepts

nature and operation of technology systems
proficient usage

Social, Ethical and Human Issues (comparable to State 3,4)

ethical, cultural and societal issues related to technology
responsible use
positive attitudes toward lifelong learning and technology

Technology Productivity Tools (comparable to State 1)

technology tool usage to enhance learning, productivity and creativity
usage to collaborate in constructing models, publications and other works

Technology Research Tools (comparable to State 2)

locate, evaluate and collect information from a variety of sources
process data and report results
evaluate and select new information resources and technological innovations related to specific tasks

Technology Problem Solving/Decision Making Tools (comparable to State 2)

use technology resources for solving problems and making informed decisions
develop strategies for solving problems in the real world

Arizona State Standards (extremely detailed in standards according to grade level, below are standards without details)

Standard 1 &emdash; develop essential technology skills for using and understanding conventional and current tools, materials and processes
Standard 2 &emdash; know how to solve problems by using current technologies to conduct research, analyze solutions and present results
Standard 3 &emdash; evaluate the impact of technology on individuals, society and the environment
Understand the interrelationships of knowledge and how they are used to solve technology problems in school, the workplace and society

The above standards, along with the seventh and eighth grade Social Studies and Language Arts curricula became the foundation for the development of the following curricular map. This map depicts technologically based activities that encourage learning technology concepts and functions while enhancing or extending Social Studies and/or Language Arts concepts.

Matousek 4

TECHNOLOGY
CURRICULUM

ACTIVITY

STANDARDS

SOCIAL STUDIES &
LANGUAGE ARTS

CURRICULUM

SEHI - 3,6,7,9

7^th- Develop a technology constitution.

8^th- Same to include a preamble, articles and amendments.

NETS 2

AZ 3

-Establish govt. & constitution

-Informative Comprehension

-Foundations Amer. Govt.

-Writing Constitution

SEHI &emdash; 5,10

CT &emdash; 2; M - all

7^th- Web research/multimedia presentation

8^th- Same to focus on business and education resources

NETS 3,4

AZ 1,2

-Shaping present into future

-Informative Comprehension/ Communications, Conventions

-America’s Domestic Policies

PT &emdash; 1, GDWD &emdash; 5; M &emdash; 7

7^th-Draw web indicating causes/effects of war of 1812.

8^th- Draw web-indicating division of powers of government.

NETS 1,3

AZ 1

-U.S. & Foreign Relations

-War 1812

-Informative Comprehension

-Conventions

-Separation of Powers

CT &emdash; 5; PT &emdash; 1,2; GDWD - 5

7^th- Publish "Why West?" story, based on web research of expansion era

8^th- Publish and present official recommendation for current issue as a cabinet member based on web research/pros and cons

NETS 1,3,6

AZ 1,2

-Executive Branch

-Composition

-Conventions

-Expansion

CT &emdash; 2,5,6,7,9;

PT &emdash; 1,2; GDWD &emdash; 5;

M &emdash; 7

7^th- Civil War Personal Journal Web Quest

8^th- As a juror, keep a journal of a Superior Court landmark case, based on research

NETS 1,3,4

AZ 1,2

-Civil War

-Narrative Composition

-Conventions

-Judicial Branch

GDWD &emdash; 5; M &emdash; 7;

CT &emdash; 2

7^th/8^th- Use spreadsheet and databases to create graphs depicting industrial growth (7^th) or distribution of federal funds (8^th)

NETS 1,3,4

AZ 1,2

-Industrial Growth

-Informative Comprehension

-Collection & Distribution of Federal Funds

CT &emdash; all; PT &emdash; 1,2,4,5

GDWD &emdash; 2,4,5

7^th- Develop and present web page based on research of before, during and after WWI

NETS 1,3,4

AZ 1,2

-World Powers

-WWI; Boom & Bust

-Informative Comprehension

-Conventions

CT &emdash; all; PT &emdash; 1,2,4,5; M &emdash; 2,3,4,5,7

8^th- Develop power point presentation proposing an analysis and evaluation of a current international problem

NETS 3,4

AZ 1,2

-Foreign Policy

-Informative Comprehension

-Conventions

CT &emdash; 1,3,4,8; PT &emdash; 1,2,3; GDWD &emdash; 5;

M &emdash; 7

7^th- Use email to interview and poll other on-line students regarding "what if" situation based on Kennedy’s assassination. Use database to collect information.

8^th- Same to create a new environmental policy based on what students find most important.

NETS 1,3,4

AZ 1,2

-Present and into the Future

-Kennedy Years

-Arizona Government

KEY: SEHI &emdash; Social, ethical and human issues; CT &emdash; Communication Tools; PT &emdash; Productivity Tools; GDWD &emdash; Graphic Design and Web Design; M &emdash; Multimedia; WD &emdash; Web Design

The few remaining curricular concepts from technology that have not been met within the above activities may be learned within activities extending or enhancing Science or Math.

In conclusion, with all standards and curricular requirements taken into consideration, the above activities could be used to enhance or extend existing seventh and eighth grade Social Studies and Language Arts instruction in a very successful manner.