Technology integration into the core curriculum is becoming more prevalent.  Computers, connections, and the Internet are now high-speed so they serve as an effective teaching tool.  Not to mention programs, websites, and web building have evolved to the point where they are extremely user friendly and easy to navigate.  Technology integration into all curricular areas is strongly being encouraged in many school systems. 

            I had the opportunity to teach a semester in an eighth grade social studies classroom and it was much easier to experience first hand how technology can be beneficial to both teachers and students than to think about the benefits theoretically.  Students became excited when the lessons involved technology.  Students enjoyed spending time in the computer lab creating a PowerPoint presentation, an informational brochure on Publisher, or gathering research for extending learning projects.  A site that I used to gain some ideas on how to use and utilize Microsoft Publisher is the Microsoft web site that can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/office/publisher/default.asp.   The Internet also serves as a means of communication between teacher and student.  As a teacher, I can now maintain a website that posts a syllabus, classroom expectations, assignments, a calendar, and even lesson plans.  A site that I frequently visit for animated buttons and pictures when building my website is http://www.animfactory.com/.  This site, as well as Google Images, allows a web builder to add appealing backgrounds and images.  Technology has also allowed me to find and digitally project pictures of people, places, and events as opposed to just merely discussing them.  I was able to find examples and concrete illustrations to abstract concepts such as the triangular trade route and European exploration and expansion at http://www.learner.org/exhibits/renaissance/index.html.  This site introduces the European Renaissance and how it led to exploration, expansion and colonization.   

            I am not a proponent of completely duplicating a lesson plan or unit plan from outside sources.  I believe that a lesson plan must be altered and modified to fit the personality of the teacher, dynamics of the classroom, and the developmental level of the students.  With that being said, I also k

now there is a vast amount of lesson and unit plans available for teachers to acquire and use.  One unit plan that I felt was applicable to my content area can be found at http://ali.apple.com/ali/uops_display.php?findunit=1795.  This unit challenges students to analyze causes of the United States Civil war from different perspectives.  Students will work with a group to create a newsletter about the causes of the civil war.  Students will use the Internet, scanners, printers and possibly Microsoft Publisher to find and create articles.  Each student will have a task/responsibility to the final product which is the newsletter itself.   

Another lesson plan that I found to be applicable can be viewed at http://ali.apple.com/ali/uops_display.php?findunit=6060.  This lesson plan illustrates the idea of making a digital commercial over some social issue that we are rarely exposed to such as pollution, homelessness, domestic violence, etc.   This is a great lesson plan idea because it allows for student creativity and can be adapted to nearly any topic.  Resources needed are digital camera equipment and the proper software.  Both of these different plans hit several of the NETS standards for students, most specifically NETS #3 and #5.  They also touch on the NETS standards for teachers, most specifically NETS II and VI.