Colleagues:

Now that the final curtain has fallen on Election 2000, pundits, politician= s, and just plain folk can reflect on all aspects of this extraordinary political event. For better or worse we do indeed live in interesting times.
For educators the whirlwind of headlines since Election Day resurrected the long-neglected social studies province known as Current Events. Resourceful teachers quickly employed the country's unique political passion play as a springboard to various (and often dissimilar) curriculum areas. Mathematics (Electoral College arithmetic), Communication Arts (persuasive essays), Fine Arts (political cartoons) were all well served and ripe for effective educational exploitation. Many teachers immediately sensed technology's capabilities to help make sense of this unique historical event. First, and possibly foremost,  was the Internet's ability to bring up-to-the-minute information into the classroom. Armed with ideas and data students were challenged to respond and interpret. What a wonderful opportunity to use basic computer tools such as spreadsheet, database, slide show, and draw and paint software.

Incorporating any of these tools into your teaching technique serves a dual purpose:

1. students are better able to  grasp illusive abstract concepts
2. students use, learn, and apply valuable technology skills

So hail to the new chief executive and welcome backto an old friend ... Current Events.

 

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