The value of teaching history with technology -- a professor's evolution

Abstract

This study examined the added value technology in the form of computer-based resources brought to the teaching of history of an experienced, tenured university history professor. This added value was measured by following the evolution of this history professor's adoption of computer-based resources in teaching. During his evolution the use of technology enhanced Dr. K. 's ability to deliver, explain and deepen the meaning of complicated historical lessons. From summer 2000 to summer 2003 the researcher helped design, develop and create computer-based resources for two history classes at a large northeastern U.S. urban university taught by this fulltime history professor. The researcher also oversaw the implementation, which involved the layering of those multimedia resources. In 2001, some of the computer-based resources developed for these classes were also partially implemented at a nearby urban high school. Overall the lectures were all put into Microsoft Power Point slides. They included audio clips (WAV) and video clips (AVI, WMV). Some slides also included animations that were created in Macromedia Flash. Other animations were created within Microsoft Power Point to help understanding of elaborate dynamic processes.