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Cutting Edge Assignment 1
Making History Come Alive
There is an enormous amount of history that students have to learn today. With help from computer software and the Internet, students can locate information when they need it, explore events and ideas, and put it all into perspective. Students can find these things from high-tech encyclopedias such as Microsoft's Encarta Deluxe on CD-ROM or on the Internet ( encarta.msn.com). These are interactive, visual experiences that include sound, graphics, motion, and more. National Geographic's magazine articles along with learning activities, maps, and photos are available on CD-ROM from The Learning Company.
Electronic role-playing and virtual field trips can provide a better understanding of history. The Decisions, Decisions software series from Tom Snyder productions, allows students to experience a simulated crisis or event. The National Museum of American History's virtual exhibition (www.si.edu/organiza/museums/nmah/nmah.htm) or an interactive experience such as The Learning's CD-ROM Trail series might take children to virtual field trips. We can encourage our students to use any of a variety of word processors or multimedia tools to create their own final projects for sharing in class.
Other resources related to above article:
The Historical Atlas of the 20th Century (www.erols.co/mwhite28/20century.htm)
Microsoft's multimedia Encarta 99 Virtual Globe on CD-ROM
The information Please Almanac for Kids (kids.infoplease.com)
Classroom Connect's "Quest" series (www.classroom.com)
Reference:
Technology & Learning, Making History Come Alive, August 1999, Volume 20, number 1, Page 40.