Technology in the Classroom

Andrew L. Bresnan
Central A & M High School
Social Studies Department

The use of technology in the Social Studies Department at Central A & M High School involves the use of several different types of technology. These include the use of video material that will transport the student to a particular point in time and place. A good source of films for use in the school are from the "Time Life" Company. Students are also able to view video materials for research to help them complete a term paper in American History 1 & 2 class each semester. Computer technology offers a wide range of opportunities from the internet to word processing.  A excellent search engine to use is "Yahoo". By using a search engine such as Yahoo the students are able to search and find information about almost any topic imaginable.  Geography students make use of the internet by utilizing some of the websites dealing with maps.  The Yahoo site does offer an excellent map site that will enable the student to find any place as well as directions to that place.  There are several other sites that deal with maps as well as several other search engines. Students are encouraged to use the computer to type all papers turned in. Microsoft Word is a very good word processing program that offers the students a wide variety of options. Microsoft offers many other programs that can be use by the students. Microsoft is the leading producer of software in the US. Another great use of technology is the use of e-mail.  Students are able to communicate with other students across the United States as well as countries around the world. In this way the student may get first hand accounts of events as the events are happening. In American History 1 & 2 the students are required to do one term paper per semester. By using computers, the internet and other sources of technology the students will be able to become an expert on the topic of their choosing.