Good site for social studies, history, and civics classrooms. It has lesson plans available, and teachers may modify many aspects of them. The plans are divided into 5-8 and 9-12 grade levels. Information about the Constitution, Congress, the presidency, and the courts is presented clearly. It offers teachers a brochure that can be downloaded that makes it easy to find all of the resources available.
Type of Material:
Assignment, case study, development tool, online course, reference material, and training material
Recommended Uses:
Social studies, history, and civics classrooms
Technical Requirements:
HTML Need Adobe Flash, not compatible with IOS
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Critical thinking and better understanding of the U.S. Constitution and government
Target Student Population:
High School AP and Undergraduate College
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Needs non-Apple product
Necessary concepts and skills are laid out in a grade-appropriate way with each lesson plan. The extensive glossary of terms and concepts helps.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
Extensive lesson plans accompany most videos. *There are 33 videos available, and 29 lesson plans. *Interactive timelines also accompany the videos. There is at least one timeline for each article of the Constitution, each constitutional amendment, and for various issues (such as women’s rights or education policy). *There are also lesson plans and resources to promote critical thinking. *There is an extensive glossary. *There is a chance for students to join a “speak out” on selected topics. *There are 6 “games and interactives for teaching about the Constitution.” The games are more engaging than the “interactives,” which are basically just another chance to see videos.
Concerns:
Games were too difficult to play. Needs wither simplification or more instructions
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
Seamless websites with links for further explanation. Exemplary civics material presented in an entertaining way
Concerns:
Games were too difficult to play. Needs wither simplification or more instructions
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
Very easy, except for playing instructional games
Concerns:
Home page is not clear for various constituencies to navigate the site.
Needs either easier games and/or better game instructions.
Creative Commons:
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