Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
“Brilliant” Learning Possibilities
Lee Ann Potter
Director of Education and Volunteer Programs
U.S. National Archives
Dutch Digital Heritage Conference
Rotterdam, Netherlands
December 8, 2010
Introductory Story
He had asked good questions,
He had uncovered elusive evidence,
He had drawn valid conclusions, and
He had effectively shared what he had learned.
U.S. National Archives
Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom
“Democracy Starts Here”
(available at www.archives.gov, and at www.youtube.com/watch?v=7n3ZZ-UpiR4)
National Archives Education Program
Two Primary Objectives
1.) To provide educators with
engaging methods and
materials for teaching with
primary source documents.
2.) To provide students, families, and other members of the general public with compelling learning experiences that involve primary sources.
For more information see: www.archives.gov/nae/education/
National Archives Education Program
ComponentsOn-site and off-site programs, Publications, Summer institutes for teachers, “Teaching with Documents” articles, Videoconferences,On-site Learning Center
ReSource Room Learning Lab
www.DocsTeach.org
www.DocsTeach.org
Project was guided by a set of beliefs What students can learn by working with primary
sources goes far beyond historical content.What kids say about the best software is what they say
about the best teachers.Our project goal shouldn’t be the suite of tools that we
could create.—but rather, the value of the learning outcomes that the tools might help students achieve.
DocsTeach Features
More than 3,500 searchable historical documents in a variety of media;
Seven tools based on cognitive behaviors;
Sample activities that utilize the tools and feature documents; and
The ability for users of the site to create and share their own activities.
www.DocsTeach.org
Launch of DocsTeach
In late September 2010 . . .
We invited members of the history education community to a demonstration of the site and asked for their help in alerting teachers.
We wrote a press release, created a rack card, and have been promoting it via Facebook, Twitter, and at professional conferences.
Reaction to DocsTeach
# Users
# Activities
Twitter Quotes
“Brilliant” “Phenomenal”
Blog Posts
Conclusion
We hope the DocsTeach site might empower teachers to help their students to learn content and develop such skills as:Asking good questions.Uncovering elusive evidenceDrawing valid conclusions; andEffectively sharing lessons learned.
We also hope that the site will attract users who are not necessarily teachers, inspiring life long learning!
Contact Information
Lee Ann Potter
Director of Education and Volunteer Programs
U.S. National Archives
700 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20408 USA
202-357-5439
