Using Databases in Social Studies

Archive vs. Database

Finding Databases Online

Creating Databases

 

 

Using Databases in Social Studies Classes
Database management systems are computerized record keeping systems that were developed originally to replace paper-based filing systems. These electronic filing cabinets allow users to store information in organized databases that facilitates retrieval. Content is broken down into records that are divided into fields which describe the kind of information in different parts of each record. Teachers and students can gather content from archives or (more realistically) the Internet, and use database management systems to organize the information to establish trends, and different perspectives on the information they gathered.

Researchers have found that databases can be very effective as tools for encouraging learning and for exploring content related to social studies. Databases can be used as tools for analyzing and organizing subject matter, for helping students to manage the information they retrieve from the Internet, and to encourage collaboration. More importantly for teachers, there are a variety of lessons by incorporating databases as a means for demonstrating information to students in differing perspectives. Teachers can ask students to gather information from the Internet as a project, and then collaborate with each other to create a database with the information they collected, thus encouraging not only critical thinking but constructive thinking. A large number of critical thinking skills are required to use and construct knowledge oriented databases; to develop data structure, locate relevant information, insert it in appropriate fields and records, and search and sort the database to answer content queries.

Examples:
The Avalon Project at Yale Law School
A Century of Lawmaking
Medieval Sourcebook

Reading Assignment #6:
Read the article by Jonassen on computers as mindtools, and post a reply on the class discussion board.