As a teacher, primary sources play a critical role in the classroom and maps and photographs can give a great sense of place to a student. By taking the learning one step forward, we can explore what it means to be a digital citizen as well.
So as a geek, I cannot handle using just a map alone without using it to connect students across the globe or for that matter placing them in their own backyard to explore, investigate, and learn.
If you haven’t learned about the resources below before take a look again. They have been highlighted on this blog and in other places before but they are important to revisit if you want to bring some inquiry in the classroom setting.
Have you tried having students explore a map using QR codes?
Print out a series of QR codes and place them on a resource to liknk students out to basic information to support their research and investigations. OR better yet, have students analyze a map and create their own QR codes with investigative questions to place on the map for other students to look at.
A Great Map Rsource: www.loc.gov
A super QR code creater:http://www.the-qrcode-generator.com/
Have you taken students to a map in past and present?
Take a look at how places change over time by investigating a place. Better yet get the students in the field to find their own changes in THEIR environment.
Find a historic map at www.loc.gov
Explore the map in Google Maps: https://maps.google.com/
See the Then and NOW: http://www.projectrephoto.com/
Have you explored the building of a historic site and placed it in the context of place?
Explore the amazing photographs and plans of historic sites around the country in the Library of Congress Building America Collections : http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/hh/
Have students examine the maps and architectural drawings associated with a place and evaluate the HOW and WHY of the construction and placement of buildings in relationship to the economy, agriculture, history, and geography.
Have you thought about taking a virtual road trip?
Take your students on a collaborative journey using flat classroom, google lit trips or map pins on Google. In Flat Classroom, join students from across the world to discover places and history that are important to them. Collaboration and connections are easy and amazing in their outcomes!
Flat Classroom Project( Flat Connections) http://www.flatconnections.com/
Have you thought about having students document an event or series of events in history?
Using a great new tool have students document their journey to a place with maps, documents, narrative, and other data. OR have students document their research on a particular topic.
Meograph: http://www.meograph.com/
See how one geeky teacher librarian put this in her classroom ...
Have you thoughts about digitally marking up a primary source to see what students learn?
Use some of the tools below to edit and change primary sources in a flash to promote inquiry in your students learning.
Have you thought about having your students present a journey through another lens?
Try having your students explore a place (historic or in the present) through the lens of a set of primary sources.
Animoto: http://animoto.com/
Example:
We will be adding to this list --- but for now -- take one tool and try it out and see how your students harness the power of technology in the classroom.
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