Virtual Adaptations and Access in American History Presenter: Amy E.N. Darty, M.A.

1. "Making It Real" Virtual Adaptations and Access in American History Presenter: Amy E.N. Darty, M.A.

2. Goals • Methods used for historical course delivery and its issues • Visual demonstration of online exhibits and materials used to enhance learning outcomes as relates to course methodology • Reasons for other institutions to implement online learning for their History Departments as more than a substitute for in-class instruction

3. Methods Course Objectives Challenges Solutions

4. Course Objectives • Critical thinking • Analytical experience • Discussion of content • Exploring relevance • Peaking historical interest

5. Challenges • Student Subject Apathy/Antipathy • Massive narrative content • Analysis versus Regurgitation • Meaningful evaluation of student understanding and participation while avoiding busy work • Instructor sanity and realistic expectations • Organization and preparation

6. Solutions: Course Structure • Admit maximum 30 to 35 students per course • Limit your print text requirement • Avoid information overload, • Virtual Office Hours • Course code for emails • Managed course dispersal

7. Course Structure, cont’d • Establish reasonable deadlines • Instructor contact • Simplifying administration • Put it in writing • Create an FAQ

8. Solutions: Course Content • The Instructor Commentary (IC) • Explore More web activities • Discussions with dual posting • Automated Multiple choice quizzes • Project Paper with Internet research focus

9. Visual Demonstration WebCT Course Layout: Two Styles Learning Approach: Explore More and Discussions

10. WebCT Course Layout • Style One: • Module html files with module outlines and internal web links • Multiple html files for each IC section, requires advanced coding and not available to download • Style Two (preferred): • Word files available to download with separate assignment files in Modules • Separate html files for Explore More with web links and for discussion questions in Modules

11. Learning Approach: Explore More and Discussions • Museum tours • National Museum of American Women http://www.nmwh.org/exhibits/intro.html • Virtual exhibits • Smithsonian Civil War Museum http://www.civilwar.si.edu/collections.html • Interactive web materials • PBS “Colonial House” http://www.pbs.org/wnet/colonialhouse/history/index.html • Discussion samples

12. Reasons for Virtual History • Reduce department costs • Flexibility of instruction • Regional campus funding • Expanded coursework for various student needs • Competitive enrollment • Better student attendance and knowledge retention • Improved student perception of subject quality/relevance

13. Recommended Resources • National Archives (NARA) http://www.archives.gov/national_archives_experience/ • The Smithsonian Institution http://www.si.edu/ • Public Broadcasting System Online http://www.pbs.org • The Virtual Library http://www.museumca.org/usa/ • Virtual Tours List http://www.virtualfreesites.com/museums.museums.html • The History Channel http://www.historychannel.com