Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Teaching history Stage 4-5 with the iPad

There are lots of useful ways the iPad can be integrated with the Stage 4 and 5 History Curriculum Depth Studies.
A variety of Apps have primary source material, audio, video, maps and other resources that provide students with the opportunity to analyse and interpret and compare and contrast different viewpoints.

The iTunesU App provides a range of resources and collections around various history topics for eg:
  • Australian Aboriginal History by La Trobe University
  • Exploring History: Medieval to Modern by The Open University
  • Australian History by LaTrobe University
    Following are more specific Apps that could be useful for the different depth studies: 

    Apps for The Mediterannean World (Depth Study 2):
    1.   Virtual History Roma App (paid)
    Students can do a virtual tour of Ancient Rome via this App.  The App provides the viewer with an insight into Roman civilization,  from a digital reconstruction of the city's statues to aerial views of the metropolis as it stood 2,000 years ago, from the manipulation of models of the legionaries, gladiators and war engines to the 3D exploration of monuments such as the Colosseum, the Circus Maximus, Hadrian’s Mausoleum and many, many others. The reconstruction of their original appearance, as seen from various angles, is overlaid and compared with their appearance in today’s Rome.

    2. Pyramids 3D (paid)
    In this App students can explore the  pyramids and tombs of ancient Egypt. Fly around the plateau where the pyramids and the Sphinx are located at Giza near Cairo. Enter and wander around the labyrinthine tombs and passageways. 

    Apps For Stage 4 Depth Study 4 The Western and Islamic World / Depth Study 6: Expanding Contacts:
    1. London 1647  App (free)
    Explore a panoramic view of London, just before the Great Fire and the Plague.

    2. London - a City through Time  (paid)
    Historic panoramas of the city from the 17th Century to the 19th Century - all viewable as high-definition zoomable images, plus 70 gyro-controlled 360º views of the capital’s grandest sites.

    3. Streetmuseum: Londinium (free)
    The new app directs users to locations from Roman London where you can ‘excavate’ finds, using your fingers to dig and gradually reveal ancient artefacts where they were originally found.
    Key Roman London sites, such as the amphitheatre and Temple of Mithras, have been brought to life through augmented reality video (iPhone only) –showing scenes of Roman London, overlaid onto the view today. A soundscape to the Roman capital is also included, so you can listen to the hustle and bustle of the forum or the clamour of the Boudican rebellion.

    4. Paris App Tours: Beware Mme Le Guillottine: A Revolutionary Tour of Paris (paid)
    This app provides a glimpse into one of Paris' pivotal backstories…la Révolution through the eyes of one if its key players, satisfying both historian and eager tourist.

    Apps for Stage 5 Depth Study 4 Rights and Freedoms:
    1. American Experience:  Mapping History (free)
    Relive the history of the abolitionist movement by exploring places central to the nation's anti-slavery effort.

    2. American Revolution Interactive Timeline  (free)
    Offers beautiful imagery, video, and information through an interactive, zoomable timeline showcasing artwork, weapons, clothing, objects, and manuscripts from the Center’s collection. Image captions and video podcasts provide an overview of key milestones of the American Revolution

    3. Civil Rights Movement: Black Power Era (paid)
    An introduction to this historical period and why it is still relevant today
    - In-depth analysis from multiple points-of-view
    - Important facts (trivia, quotes, etc.)
    - Brief biographies of important movers-and-shakers


    Apps for Stage 4 Depth Study 6 Expanding Contacts
    DigiMacq (free)
    An Australian App, allows students to join Governor Lachlan Macquarie and experience his vision through the eyes and voices of the soldiers, scoundrels, convicts, clergy and free settlers who roamed the streets of Parramatta in colonial times.

    Family History (free)
    NSW Department of Attorney General & Justice
    Look up iconic Australians in this Australian App to kickstart inquiry around notable Australian people.



    Apps for Stage 5 Depth Study 6 Topic: The Holocaust:
    StoryPod JHC (free)
    This Australian App features the stories of Holocaust survivors.

    Overall
    History Students can then bring this content together and demonstrate their own knowledge and understanding by using other Apps to create their own
    See more great ideas at Raffs Rant - ideas iPad Yr 7 Geography/ History class