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Technology is a powerful tool to bring social studies to life in today’s classrooms. These tools transform the mundane text and facts into an exciting adventure that engages the digital natives sitting in our classrooms.

This wiki has been designed to host professional development activities that will assist teachers in integrating technology into the K-12 social studies classrooms. The lessons are combined in one unit, focusing on the theme of pirates of yesteryear those of today in the twenty-first century. Each segment of the unit will showcase how teachers can easily integrate technology as a tool to enhance and engage the learner in the social studies classroom.

Lessons are written with the adult learner in mind with the underlying North Carolina fourth grade essential standards integrated into each lesson. By the end of the unit, professional development participants will leave with a near completed social studies unit designed for twenty-first century learners.

Lesson 1 focuses on assessing prior knowledge using a Classroom Performance System (CPS). Teachers will learn how to setup their class roster, create a lesson/quiz, and engage the lesson with students.

Lesson 2 - focuses on using Google Earth as a tool for students to explore geographic locatons and add placemarks with facts.

Lesson 3- focuses on creating a wiki that allows students to collaborate on a research project.

Lesson 4 - Blogs - Under Construction

Lesson 5 - Google Docs - Under Construction

Lesson 6 focues on using Movie Maker to create multimedia presentations at the end of the classroom research project.

Lesson 7 - Vokis - Under Construction