On our current holiday vacation, our family has been immensely enjoying the book “1776” by David McCullough on audio CD. I have studied the American Revolution in the past, of course, but had not heard most of the stories McCullough recounts about soldiers, citizens, and leaders on both sides of the battle lines in Boston, New York, and elsewhere during our revolution. It is AMAZING to hear how tenuous the American military position was during the war at many phases, what hardships our ancestors endured for the cause of freedom, and how courageous they were to make a stand which risked their lives and the futures of their families. Their struggles make the challenges I face in my own life today seem quite paltry and inconsequential.
My wife is currently reading an intriguing biography of John Adams, also by David McCullough. History is understood most compellingly through stories, and McCullough is both a meticulous researcher and excellent storyteller. Any teacher helping students understand the American Revolution should utilize both McCullough’s 1776 and John Adams books. They are also wonderful for anyone like me interested in history and the struggles which have brought us to our current epoch.
Yesterday I had the pleasure of listening to Eric Langhorst’s latest “Speaking of History” podcast (for 14 Dec 2005), which was a “studycast” for his 8th grade history students in Liberty, Missouri, preparing for their unit test about the American Revolution. Eric is modeling the creative, innovative, and effective use of educational technology through his podcast and blog. His students are so lucky to have him as a teacher, and we are fortunate as netizens to be able to share in their classroom studies and have this “window into their classroom” via Eric’s web 2.0 publications!
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On this day..
- Mastodon Tips (Dec 2022) – 2022
- 10 Percent Off Google Education Summit Oklahoma City: Feb 21-22, 2015 – 2014
- iPhone Media Creation App Categories – 2010
- As Fast As You Can Think – 2010
- Lessons Learned Teaching EdTech to PreService Education Students (Fall 2010) – 2010
- Kids writing for fun online – 2009
- Fair Use in Videos Using Pictures with Copyrighted Music – 2009
- Blog widgets for political transparency – 2008
- Philip Randolph, civil rights, unions, and political change – 2008
- The novelty of news and importance of media literacy – 2007