Case Study: Houston County High School

Focus on Social Studies

While the Activboard is used by a variety of subjects, we have interviewed Jacqui Dravis-Wilson, from the Houston County High Social Studies Department.

Teachers in the high school Social Studies department have changed the traditional approach of teaching map studies by creating a dynamic exchange of information. Before class time, teachers pull pre-existing maps from the large Activstudio resource libraries and illuminate them on the Activboard. During class, students are asked to come to the Activboard to work on their map skills by identifying specific countries or states.

Traditionally, teachers have not always been sure if students completely comprehend a subject before proceeding to the next lesson as tests are administered after a subject has been reviewed. Today, teachers at Houston County High School have the ability to understand each student’s knowledge level by incorporating the Activote into their daily instruction. To confirm if additional review and instruction is needed, teachers use the Activote device to show what concepts students are getting right and wrong, and specifically WHO answered the questions correctly or incorrectly. The Activote is also used for opinion activities which, of course, can be used to start stimulating discussions. For example, “Should Lewis and Clark have taken Sacagawea on the expedition?” Students can give their opinion by marking “A” for yes and “B” for no.