1) The document discusses the use of computers and various technologies in social science education. It outlines how computers can be used for tasks like retrieving information, practicing skills like map reading, and administering tests. 2) Some advantages of computer-assisted instruction are that it allows for individualized learning and rapid access to large amounts of stored information. However, limitations include the high costs of equipment and potential to dehumanize education. 3) Emerging technologies discussed include compact discs for storing large amounts of information, the Internet for communication and research, and video conferencing for remote instruction. While computers show promise, teachers have been slow to integrate them into social studies classrooms.

1. ASSIGNMENT
TOPIC: USE OF COMPUTERS IN SOCIAL SCIENCE

2. INTRODUCTION
The social studies encompass diverse concern of society and include a wide
range of content drawn from the disciplines of History, Geography, Political
Science, Economics, Sociology, Anthropology, Civil etc… the selection and
organization of material into meaningful social studies curriculum, one that
will develop a critical modern standing of society, is therefore a challenging
task.
Advancements and refinement continue to be made in instructional tech-
nology instructional systems that include lesson formats books, films, sides
and other media are being produced for a variety of units and course, Edu-
cational television and video tapes of selected programs, film produced by
T.V Net works and TV equipments for use in classroom are very useful in
many units of instruction in social studies. Computerized programs of in-
struction have been tried out in many classrooms, and instructional media
center now provide a variety of services ranging from collection and distri-
bution of materials to the actual bundling of classroom projects by remote
control. Audio-visual arts are viewed as integral part of the teaching system.

3. USE OF COMPUTERS IN SOCIAL STUDIES
The use of computers in educations has been promoted so vig-
orously that it is estimated that, by the end of this decade micro com-
puters will be a part of instructional media of all schools. It is presumed,
therefore, that the pre service preparation of teachers will familiarize
them with the basic knowledge and skills needed to operate a computer,
an ability currently referred to as computer literacy in the social studies,
as in other curricular areas, the challenge to the teachers is to integrate
the use of new technology in to the ongoing instructional program of the
classroom.
One of the major differences between the com-
puter and other instructional media is that the computer has the capacity to
interact with the students. The computer does not simply present material
to be learned as in the case with a film, filmstrip, or a recording. The com-
puter requires the operator to do something in order for the process to
precede this interactive characteristic of computers applications facilitate
for the pacing of instruction and for individualizing learning. For example,
with conversional instructional materials, the program of what is to be
learned is fixed only the time allowed to complete it can be varied from one
student to the next. The computer, however, has the capacity to diagnose
an individual learner’s knowledge of the subject or skill, to call up a program
appropriate for the learner and to adjust the complexity of the presenta-
tion accordingly in the social studies class, the contribution of computer as-
sisted instruction (CAI) falls in to the following four categories.
Using the computer to obtain needed information or to retrieve infor-
mation stored in the computer. There are a growing number of collec-
tions of data, known as ‘databases’ many of which are relevant of social
studies. Ability to access to these data base and use the computer data-
lone service are essential skill in this ‘high tech’

4. 1) Using the computer to particle and apply social studies skill such as map
reading, graph reading, chart interpretation, thinking and problem solv-
ing computer program of this kind are referred to as “drill and practice”
2) Using the computer for tutorial assistance in providing a sequential pro-
gram for the development and elaboration of concept and knowledge
that all students are expected to learn. These are essentially course of
study that have been programmed for the computer
3) To administer, standardize, scoring and interpreting large scale test in
social studies for decision making.
4) Using computer for specialized presentation such as simulation division
making situations analysis of given data interpreting information needed
to solve a problem or a series of related problems.
ADVANTEGE OF CAI
Computer assisted instruction proves better than all other aid in several re-
spect. There in not only saving of time in learning. But it also purpose miracles
in processing the performance data. This latter characteristic helps to deter-
mine sub sequent activities in the learning situation. The large amount of in-
formation stored in computer is need available to learn more rapidly than by
any other medium. The dynamic interaction between student and instructional
programs not possible to be sound in any of the medium with CAI we could
completely individualize materials. Before computers can any use they must be
carefully programmed to perform desired functions. This requires to planning
of every step and prior thinking computers are simple minded. They demand
instruction spelled out in explicit detail. Human beings are brilliant but rather
sloppy thinker’s computers are stupid but access rate.
LIMITATIONS OF CAI
Although computers open the possibility of educating the students completely
by individualized programs its chief limitation lies in the fact that it is prohibi-
tively expensive. Computer may also inject a non human quality to education-
al programs. This new technology may dehumanize man further all individual-
ized instruction and CAI instruct the student in such a way that all will achieve
the same of company

5. COMPACT DISCS
The advent of compact disc has reached the time required to search and gath-
er reformation on any topic. The entire encyclopedia Britannica can be stored
in single compact disc A large text book can be stored in a classified manner
in a disc. The computer scans the CDs and gives the information in a few sec-
onds. DDs on different topic in various disciplines are available for social stud-
ies although abstract in and indexing services may be available only in CD ROM
in the near future
INTERNET
Internet is a large collection of computer network that can communicate with
each other. When connect our computer to the internet we become the part
of the large network. The World Wide Web (www) is a vast collection of docu-
ments stored on internet computers. A web document can contain text, pic-
tures, sound, and videos. In social studies teaching internet has following func-
tion.
1. E-mailing: The electronic mail service enhances the communication
and global presentation of the students.
2. Remote login: the users any were in the world can login to any other
machine on which they have an account.
3. News and information: Thousands of news groups such as topics in-
cluding social studies, recreation and politics are available in the in-
ternets which can each social studies learning.
4. Transfer of files: Vast number of articles data base and other infor-
mation from internet and virtual libraries can be copied from one
machine on the internet to another.
VIDEO CONFERENCING
Educational video conferencing is a voluble medium in social
studies instruction video conferencing is an electronic means which can being
together there or four people in two or more location to discuss or share with
the use of twos way and one any medium with full motion and slow scan, elec-
tronic blackboards facsimile, computer graphic, radio, satellite and media tax
however most essential part of video conferencing is a good quality audio to
help immediate interaction among the participates for information exchange

6. Video conferencing is an effective support for remote learners the cost of vid-
eo conferencing usually low. The quality of instruction in social studies can be
maintained high because of the need of careful and early preparation. The vid-
eo conferencing system provides the facility to the learners for immediate
feedback.
CONCLUSION
Internet and computer has become the most popular one among all computer
based instructional strategies in the social studies classroom it is clear that the
current development in telecommunication technology makes the internet
more accessible to anybody in addition social studies content requires substan-
tive knowledge and the internet is a great source for this the internet provides
a wide variety of source which respect different point of view using source
which represent different world views is one of the best ways to poster stu-
dents critical thinking, creative thinking, problem solving and decision making
skills. However, literature review shows that teacher views the internet basi-
cally for personal purpose such as to find information and other resources, and
together background information for planning rather than a teaching and
learning activities in the classroom.
On the other and other strategies such as data base development,
games, multimedia, hypermedia, web quest, and tale collaboration also signifi-
cantly contribute to students critical thinking, problem solving, and decision
making skill, moreover, there kinds of strategies might poster students creativi-
ty because their strategies require creation and construction abilities and ideas
from students. In my opinion all computer based instructional strategies
somehow reinforce the constructivist classroom environment. However, social
studies teachers still are not comfortable with applying all or some computer
based instructional strategies. We believe that a follow up study can be done
to preview the beliefs and attitudes of social studies teachers to word their
strategies. The results of the study might reveal the reason for the lack of using
computer-based instructional strategies among social studies teachers.
REFERENCE: social science in the class room trends &methods
P.K Sudheesh Kumar, P.P Noushad scorpio publishers
.