Computers as Instructional Tools for the Social Sciences

Abstract

Over the past few decades many promises have been made concerning the improvement of teaching and learning through the use of computers in the instructional process. Today, some of these promises are finally being realized. Numerous students now benefit from computer applications which make possible more interesting, effective, and efficient systems for teaching and learning. Despite applications in numerous areas of study, the study of the social sciences (political science, sociology, geography, anthropology, psychology, history) at the secondary school level has only recently experienced the influence of the computer as an instructional tool. This paper focuses on the use of the computer as an instructional support tool for the social sciences. To begin, we discuss some of the more important obstacles facing the introduction of the computer into the study of the social sciences at the high school level. Next, we consider several of the more important real and potential areas of computer utilization. Finally, we present an example of computer use in the classroom and suggest guidelines for using the computer as an instructional tool.