EXEMPLARY SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHERS USE OF COMPUTER-SUPPORTED INSTRUCTION IN THE CLASSROOM

ABSTRACT

Educators increasingly support the use of computer-supported instruction in social studies education. However, few studies have been conducted to study teacher use of computer-supported instruction in social studies education. This study was therefore designed to examine the use of exemplary social studies teachers’ computer-supported instruction in the classroom. Case study methodological approach was used for this study. Four exemplary social studies teachers who use computer-supported instruction in their teaching practices were selected as participants. The data were collected from interviews and classroom observations. The data analysis indicated that all of the participants agreed that the computer is a powerful research tool which facilitates students’ work and makes the work faster and easier for the students.  The participants used various types of computer-supported instruction in their classrooms. The use of the Internet and software programs such as Microsoft Power Point, Word, and Excel were the most common use of computer-supported instruction in the classrooms observed.