An introduction to the learning environments in social studies

1. Creating a Social Studies Learning Environment
Ralph C. Navelino

2. Objectives:
1. Identify some uses of technology in the
social studies classroom and how these
applications can yield knowledge acquisition
results;
2. describe a learning environment appropriate
for elementary and secondary level social
studies students; and
3. create journal article review about social
studies learning environment.

3. Introduction
For effective teaching and learning, teachers ought to employ
different ways and means. Which will appeal to the senses of the pupils
in the classroom, necessary stimuli must be provided by the teacher in
other to elicit the desired response. It is well known among educators
that the educational experiences involving the learner actively
participating in concrete examples are retained longer than abstract
experiences. ICT’s materials are no doubt most effective in stimulating
these senses. These senses include hearing, smelling, feeling and
sight in other to increase the children’s level of perception. The
teaching of social studies has always been based on a limited
knowledge, and as a result, the utilization of the ICT media among
teachers often relies on traditional applications of technology.

4. Uses of Technology in the
Social Studies Classroom
Engages students and creates active learners.
Using a computer, tablet, or other device
encourages self-directed learning and creates an
active participant in the learning process, rather
than the passive learners found in a lecture
environment. Interactive lesson plans can help turn
“boring” conceptual subjects like math and science
into fun, engaging, and educational activities for
students.

5. Uses of Technology in the
Social Studies Classroom
Encourages individual learning and growth.
No one learns in the same way or at the same pace, but
technology can level-set the classroom. For example,
technology can provide accommodations for struggling or
disabled students, and virtual lesson plans provide
individualized instruction for all. Students can learn at
their own speed, reviewing difficult concepts or skipping
ahead as needed. Additionally, access to the internet
gives students access to a broad range of resources to
conduct research.

6. Uses of Technology in the
Social Studies Classroom
Facilitates peer collaboration. In a research
project conducted by the ICT Department of DepEd,
many educators reported that technology facilitated
peer collaboration. They noted that when students
were assigned to small groups for technology-based
projects, those students who already had certain
computer and technology skills routinely assisted
less skilled students. Peer tutoring, mentoring, and
collaboration were the unexpected results of the
technology integration.

7. Uses of Technology in the
Social Studies Classroom
Prepares students for the real world.
Technology is an integral part of how we work and
live, every day. Teaching students how to use
technology to learn, research, collaborate, and
solve problems from an early age will better
prepare them for their careers. It can also help
reduce the fear of new technology in the future by
familiarizing them with the discovery process for
each new tool.

8. Uses of Technology in the
Social Studies Classroom
Creates more engaged and successful
teachers. Using technologies like virtual lesson
plans and internet resources can help free up
time — both in developing and delivering the
curriculum. This allows teachers to spend more
time with the students who are struggling,
ensuring the whole class is better prepared for
tests and advancement.

9. How Technology can be used
to Improve Learning?
With the widespread availability of
student databases that are able to
track individual progress, teachers
are encouraged to identify learning
objectives and differentiate instruction
based on the needs of their students.

10. How Technology can be used
to Improve Learning?
Whenever teachers attempt to
present instruction using technology,
they should do so using a channel
that is relevant to the objectives, the
learning style, mode and the
technology selected.

11. How Technology can be used
to Improve Learning?
When evaluating technology-based
instruction, there needs to be
appropriate evaluation techniques
that are in line with the methods of
instruction, objectives and the
technology.

12. How Technology can be used
to Improve Learning?
Teachers can design follow-up
activities when using technology to
evaluate students’ learning and the
role technology played in that
process.

13. Learning Environment appropriate for
Elementary and Secondary Level Social
Studies Students
Learners’ characteristics;
Learning and teaching goals;
Activities that support learning;
Assessment strategies that drive and
measure learning;
A culture that directly infuses a learning
environment.

14. Factors that make a Positive
Learning Environment
1. Establish a supportive learning culture
Each member of the learning community
should have the feeling of connectedness.
They must feel that they are contributing to
the overall environment while being a bigger
and important part of a supportive learning
culture.

15. Factors that make a Positive
Learning Environment
2. Address Learners’ Needs
Just like adults, learners also have some
psychological needs for order and security,
love and belonging, competence and
personal power, novelty and freedom and
even fun. It is important to meet these needs
at all times and to help learners progress
and be taught with a positive attitude.

16. Factors that make a Positive
Learning Environment
3. Keep it Positive
Learners respond far better to praise than
punitive measures. Appreciation is the key to
motivation, unlike humiliation, which is highly
discouraging. Learners appreciate the
freedom to express their opinions; similarly,
the opinions of their peers also play a crucial
role in defining their learning attitude.

17. Factors that make a Positive
Learning Environment
4. Provide Feedback
Feedback is the great way to connect with
learners, facilitate online training and to
set learning efforts in the right direction.
Feedback is vital for learners as it helps
them in tracking their progress and in
changing their learning strategy accordingly.

18. Factors that make a Positive
Learning Environment
5. Celebrate Success
In addition to feedback and appreciation, another
way to establish a positive and effective learning
environment is to celebrate the learners’ success.
This could be anything from a shout out to a big
reward. When learners’ achievements are
recognized and shared by the instructors with
other learners, it creates a sense of achievement
and fosters healthy learning behavior.

19. Factors that make a Positive
Learning Environment
6. Safety
A good learning environment offers a safe
platform for learners. Before you can expect
learners to succeed academically, they should
also feel safe both mentally and physically.
While most of the schools take physical safety
measures, not many learning platforms
consider the mental safety of the learners.

20. Factors that make a Positive
Learning Environment
7. Employ Interactive Games and
Activities
An effective online learning platform is the one
that establishes strong interactions and
promotes collaborative learning culture. This
means that it is imperative for instructors to
maintain positive relationships with the learners
while also ensuring healthy association among
the learners.

21. References
Kristanto, Mustaji & Mariono, Ed. (2017, June 27). The Development of
Instructional Materials E-Learning Based On Blended Learning.
https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1146460.pdf
Himmelsbach, Vawn (2021, May 15). How Technology in The
Classroom Can Impact Student Learning.
https://tophat.com/blog/how-does-technology-impact-student-
learning/
Movchan, Sergiy (2018, April 08). What Makes a Good Learning
Environment?https://raccoongang.com/blog/what-makes-good-
learning-environment/