RiverWeb Teachers Guide

The Teacher's Guide to RiverWeb

Section One:

History and Multimedia - An Introduction to RiverWeb

PEDAGOGICAL APPROACHES:

This section was designed to give students an overview, if needed, of how computers are used to teach history. Much of the information is of a basic nature, and is designed to help the student get the most out of the RiverWeb materials. This section works well when used as an introduction to the subject of computers and history, and the possible assignments can be utilized to gauge the computer proficiency level of individual students. The questions to think about would work well if used in a broad discussion forum on e-mail or a chat board, which would also allow the students to gain valuable experience using their computers, e-mail, and the Web for educational purposes. There is certainly benefits to starting students out with small, manageable projects like an e-mail discussion list.

EXPLANATION OF MATERIAL:

The materials available on RiverWeb include both on-line and off-line information, i.e. from the RiverWeb CD-Rom as well as to the on-line RiverWeb course site. The site itself melds the latest academic technologies with educational materials, and with this goal in mind the materials are divided into sections for classroom use.

To fully utilize RiverWeb requires you to understand some basic computer terminology and to master some basic computer skills. While the RiverWeb CD-Rom can be used by itself, we strongly suggested that it be used in conjunction with the RiverWeb Web site, because embedded within many of the materials are numerous hyperlinks, or links to other Web sites of interest to the user. Many of these Web sites contain supplemental materials such as text, images, and other archives that the reader will find useful.

Basically, the computer technology used on the RiverWeb CD-Rom is fairly self-explanatory. Still, we recommend that you give a demonstration on the CD-Rom before assigning any of the RiverWeb projects to your class. This way you can be certain that your students are as prepared as they can be to utilize the resources on their own. For introductory works on how to use a computer, please see the "Further Reading" section. We recommend that students who have never used a computer before seek individual one-on-one tutorial or take an introduction to computers and software course.

The technology used on the RiverWeb site that might need additional explanation is called the "Page Grabber."

The page grabber is a simple demonstration of an interactive tool that allows you to organize RiverWeb material into your own presentation. The page grabber is located on the RiverWeb header in the far right corner. Three buttons, Add, View, and Purge appear in the corner. By clicking on the Add button you will add the page you are viewing to your presentation. Clicking the Purge button will delete your presentation and clicking the View button will run your presentation.

QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT:

How have computers and other new media changed the way in which the study of history is conducted, taught and presented?
Are there any benefits to on-line history projects? Are there drawbacks?
Do you find the Web easy to use?
Do you find multi-media applications to be an improvement over existing forms of technology (i.e. video, radio, television, etc.).
What kind of project would you like to see on the Web? In what ways, if any, can you see how it would improve on existing resources?
What aspects of this CD-Rom do you like? Dislike?

POSSIBLE ASSIGNMENT:

Using a variety of search engines, seek out and find at least ten general (i.e. gateway) history web sites. Providing URLs, critique each site for the following: overall usefulness; presentation of material; and ease of use. Are there any non-working links? Is the site annotated? What is the target audience of the site?