During this period, there were resounding
calls for social studies educators to rouse the metaphorical «sleeping giant» (Martorella, 1997) and learn how to use digital technologies appropriately and effectively (Becker, 1999; Diem, 1999; Fontana, 1997).
For example, with the rising use of the Internet and the explosion in data collection, processing, and storage capabilities, there is a more pressing
need for social studies educators to teach students how to find, sift, process, and analyze data and make meaning of it all.
In this design research study, 22 preservice teachers in a social studies methods class conducted online class discussions inside the National Council of the Social Studies Network Ning, a social
network for social studies educators.