National Content Standards
have been provided for USA Schools.
The National Council of the Social Studies has identified ten themes in their document,
"Curriculum Standards for Social Studies," six of which can be addressed by
participation in this project.
Social Studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of:
Time,Continuity and Change: Human beings seek to
understand their historical roots and to locate themselves in time.
Knowing how to read and reconstruct the past allows one to develop a
historical perspective and to answer questions such as: Who am I? What
happened in the past? How am I connected to those in the past? How has
the world changed and how might it change in the future? Why does our
personal sense of relatedness to the past change?
Individuals, Groups and Institutions:Institutions such as
schools, churches, families, government agencies, and the courts play an
integral role in people’s lives. It is important that students learn how
institutions are formed, what controls and influences them, how they
influence individuals and culture, and how they are maintained or
changed. Students may address questions such as: What is the role of
institutions in this and other societies? How am I influenced by
institutions? How do institutions change? What is my role in
institutional change?
Power, Authority and Governance: Understanding the
historical development of structures of power, authority, and governance
and their evolving functions in contemporary U.S. society and other parts
of the world is essential for developing civic competence. In exploring
this theme, students confront questions such as: What is power? What
forms does it take? Who holds it? How is it gained, used, and
justified? What is legitimate authority? How are governments created,
structured, maintained, and changed? How can individual rights be
protected within the context of majority rule?
Science, Technology and Society: Modern life as we know
it would be impossible without technology and the science that supports
it. But technology brings with it many questions: Is new technology
always better than old? What can we learn from the past about how new
technologies result in broader social change, some of which is
unanticipated? How can we cope with the ever-increasing pace of change?
How can we manage technology so that the greatest number of people benefit
from it? How can we preserve our fundamental values and beliefs in the
midst of technological change?
Global Connections: The realities of global
interdependence require understanding the increasingly important and
diverse global connections among world societies and the frequent tension
between national interests and global priorities. Students will need to
be able to address such international issues as health care, the
environment, human rights, economic competition and interdependence,
age-old ethnic enmities, and political and military alliances.
Civic Ideals and Practices: An understanding of civic ideals and practices of
citizenship is critical to full participation in society and is a central
purpose for the social studies. Students confront such questions as: What
is civic participation and how can I be involved? How has the meaning of
citizenship evolved? What is the balance between rights and
responsibilities? What is the role of the citizen in the community and
the nation, and as a member of the world community? How can I make a
positive difference?
National Social Studies Standards:
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ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) NETS Standards have
identified the following standards, all of which can be addressed through
participation in this project:
Basic operations and concepts:
- Students demonstrate a sound understanding of the nature and operation of
technology systems.
- Students are proficient in the use of technology.
Social, ethical, and human issues:
- Students understand the ethical, cultural, and societal issues related to
technology.
- Students practice responsible use of technology systems, information, and software.
- Students develop positive attitudes toward technology uses that support lifelong learning,
collaboration, personal pursuits, and productivity.
Technology productivity tools:
- Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote
creativity.
- Students use productivity tools to collaborate in constructing technology-enhanced
models, prepare publications, and produce other creative works.
Technology communications tools:
- Students use telecommunications to collaborate, publish, and interact with peers,
experts, and other audiences.
- Students use a variety of media and formats to communicate information and ideas
effectively to multiple audiences.
Technology research tools:
- Students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of
sources.
- Students use technology tools to process data and report results.
- Students evaluate and select new information resources and technological
innovations based on the appropriateness for specific tasks.
Technology problem-solving and decision-making tools:
- Students use technology resources for solving problems and making informed
decisions.
- Students employ technology in the development of strategies for solving problems in the
real world.
ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) NETS Standards:
Learn more