Featured Classroom Activity

From time to time, we intend to take you into a K-12 classroom to illustrate an interesting application of technology. When possible we will follow-up on one of the classroom activities we describe in one of our books and include video segments that will allow you to meet the teacher or teachers who created and implemented the projects.

Using Technology to Link Learning to Life

Here is an example of a project we feel you may find interesting to explore.

For several years Cindy and I have been affiliated with a Department of Education Technology Innovation Challenge grant operating in our community. The grant was awarded to the Grand Forks Public Schools and the Dakota Science Center. The grant is titled "NatureShift: Linking Learning to Life." It is second part of this title - Linking Learning to Life - that provides the connection with our books.

A basic idea in the "Linking Learning to Life" grant is that traditional classroom activities need to be mixed with opportunities to use core curriculum ideas more actively. The grant attempts to provide two types of extension to the traditional curriculum -- online adventures and real world adventures.

Online adventures attempt to engage learners in Internet-based tasks that allow students to apply knowledge and learn in the context of meaningful tasks.

Real world adventures have similar goals, but are assumed to involve tasks that take place in the learner’s community and often outside of the school setting.

Many concepts from the books (authentic tasks, contextualized learning, project-based learning) would seem to fit with the theoretical perspective of this grant.

Memories and Stories is the Linking Learning to Life module applying these principles to the study of history. In this module K-12 students are encouraged to function as historians by examining both on-line and community-based primary sources.

In the following interview, Jerry Feltis, curriculum development specialist for NatureShift, describes Memories and Stories and the approach taken in order to engage students as historians.

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Visit NatureShift: Linking Learning to Life Memories and Stories.

North Dakota State Historical Society

Library of Congress American Memories Collection

5/12/02