Skip Discover Education Main Navigation

Home> Social Studies Techbook Beta

Beyond the Textbook


Site Walkthrough

Social Studies Beta Test Program


Discovery Education Announces Special Beta Test Program For Breakthrough Digital Social Studies Series
 
Designed to increase literacy and create better learning opportunities for all, Social Studies Techbook™ replaces traditional textbooks and captures the imagination of students with widely varying learning styles and abilities.

Be one of the first districts in the country to beta test this groundbreaking program. Only a limited number of opportunities are available. See details below.

Techbook™ is the first social studies program specifically designed from the ground-up to support Common Core State Standards. With compelling videos and primary source documents from Discovery’s exclusive Multimedia Reference Library, this inquiry-based digital series – U.S. History, World History and World Geography and Culture – links social studies to key historical resources and features activities that make students “think and do.” Students, therefore, learn to develop a reasoned point-of-view that is supported by evidence, as required by Common Core State Standards.
 

Beta Test Offer Summary

Discovery Education is making this exciting new program available for the 2012-13 school year for no licensing fee – just the modest cost associated with an introductory professional learning and support package, outlined below. Space in the beta test program is limited. Three courses will be beta tested:


 

Courses Offered


U.S. History Techbook™
Embrace history from multiple perspectives.
Explore compelling videos and primary source documents using Discovery Education?s exclusive Multimedia Reference Library
Argue historical issues of the day via debate, role play and analytic writing
Express your own perspective through creative writing about historic renderings, photographs, cartoons and poems
World History Techbook™
Connect ancient and modern times.
Explore what the ancients knew about different technologies and use their tools to solve real problems of their day
Argue as if you are an archeologist by examining ancient texts or artifacts and draw conclusions about their world
Express your view about the differences between ancient and modern times by drawing connections between diverse worlds
World Geography and Cultures Techbook™
Imagine the great geographic and cultural diversity in our world.
Explore geographic themes across regions using the Interactive Atlas
Argue for solutions to real-world problems supported by evidence from data-based interactive activities
Express your opinion about global issues from multiple perspectives using document-based investigations

Professional Learning and Support Package


While participation in the beta program is free (no-cost contract required), each school district must commit to a paid, $3,000 professional learning and support package to ensure sound implementation.

Discovery Education Professional Development (DEPD) is a comprehensive training and support model that has proven to significantly improve practice and lead to dramatic gains in student achievement. This introductory course is designed to familiarize participants with the components of the Discovery Education Social Studies Techbook™, including navigation and basic technical skills. From administrators, to instructional coaches, to teachers and students, DEPD helps participants understand the functionality and power of Social Studies Techbook™ as well as integrate digital content and technology into classrooms, curricula and administrative practices.
 

» A day of on-site Professional Learning (6-hour session for a maximum of 25 participants).

» One 3-hour webinar for consultation and follow-up.

» Access to ongoing support via webinars one-to-two times per month with opportunities to interact with Social Studies Techbook™ users across the country. Topics include media integration, literacy strategies and more.

» Free access to the Discovery Educator Network.

» Opportunities to provide critical feedback to further develop this key social studies tool to enhance your work as a middle school teacher and increase your students engagement in social studies content.

» Invitation to interact via webinar with Social Studies Techbook™ authors once per semester.

» Discovery Education requests that beta partners provide product feedback through the beta period, ending June 2013.

Contact Us

Jason Barnes, Techbook Director
Phone: 240-461-7574
Email: Jason_Barnes@Discovery.com
Brett Felten, Techbook Director
Phone: 312-415-3101
Email: Brett_Felten@discovery.com
Technical Support: 800-323-9084

Social Studies TECHBOOK™
Program Highlights

»  Capture the imagination of students with compelling and exclusive Discovery videos and fascinating primary source documents from the Multimedia Reference Library.

»  Engage ALL learners with the Core Interactive Text embedded with sound, images, and videos.

»  Bring Social Studies to life with Digital Explorations and Interactive Maps.

»  Link Social Studies to historical documents and events through the use of graphic organizers and primary source documents.

»  Activate higher order critical thinking skills with Creative Writing Activities like You As a Journalist.

»  Lower district costs: Social Studies Techbook™ is free for the beta test period (2012-13 school year). Afterwards, only $48 per six-year student license.