Gathering Data From the Field: Personal Communication Device Usage on Site

This article describes a lesson plan that encouraged the usage of digital tools to enhance inquiry as a key tool in teaching elementary social studies. The lesson revolved around a field trip to the home of Civil War Governor Oliver P. Morton (Centerville, Indiana). The active, investigative, and questioning nature of inquiry in social studies lends itself to gathering data through field trips where students gain academic content and improve skill development though experience learning. The lesson included usage of digital tools that assisted students in locating information out of doors, in prerecorded messages, and engaging in debates of controversial issues. The article encourages educators to take advantage of every teaching opportunity utilizing diverse teaching mechanisms, including students' phones and tablets. This access to knowledge changes the discourse style from teacher or docent as a provider of information to student as an investigator.