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The
mission of HistoryQuest.US is to connect people to historical
and cultural objects nationwide, fostering a deeper appreciation
for social themes and issues -- live online. HistoryQuest.US
enables students to teach distant peers about local museum objects,
historic sites and cultural institutions. In doing so, students:
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Become guardians and "curators" of local collections
and sites
•
Act as the eyes, ears and hands for distant peers that might
not otherwise be able to appreciate certain sites, collections
or objects in person
• Develop the confidence that comes from cultivating an
area of expertise and sharing first-hand knowledge with others
• Gain intimate exposure to the points of view of peers
in other parts of the world through direct personal interaction
• Learn to regard, respect and protect local museums and
sites as valuable archives, resources and treasures
• Use physical objects, sites and collections to lend concreteness
to the discussion of important concepts and ideas
• Discover how to tell a story or support a theory through
the aggregation of distinct images, objects or sites
The program brings students together virtually in cooperative
and community-building experiences that foster deeper understanding
of the true issues at the heart of history and contemporary
culture. It aims to use close-up access to local and remote historical
and culural treasures to excite learners and enhance the study
of the humanities and other school disciplines.
HistoryQuest.US believes in using the Internet in a very human
way to connect learners with remote peers with whom they might
never interact. HistoryQuest.US is a strong advocate of student-centered
learning and the importance of vibrant communities
in energizing the learning process. As such, learners not only
do primary research at local museum and historical sites, but
also present their findings live online to human audiences and
have active discussions with peers and experts online -- and in
the classroom.
We also believe that an emphasis on professional development
for educators -- technology- and subject-based -- is vital to
ensuring that we deliver the promise of an effective, exciting,
and practical education for today's learners.
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