Resources for Digital Learning at the Secondary Level

President Barack Obama’s Inaugural Address

Video and transcript of President Barack Obama’s Inaugural Address

Click here for the text of his inaugural speech.

Inauguration Live Streaming

With the historic Presidential Inauguration coming up next week I have searched for some good sources for live streaming.  Here’s the list:

Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies This is the official Inaugural Committee responsible for all of the activities. The video will be closed captioned and you will need the Flash plug-in.

C-SPAN Live Stream You can use Windows media or Real media players to view this stream.  Right click to make it full screen.

MSNBC This site also provides an option for viewing full-screen.

CNN.com/Live You can use either the Flash player or Windows Media Player to view the stream here.  You can also view it full-screen.

FOX News Live Stream You can use Adobe AIR player or view through your browser.  You can view it full-screen.

To listen to the Inauguration in real time go to iTunes, then Radio and look for the NPR Public Stream.  NPR is broadcasting the events live.

Digital Storytelling Tools

I have found two different web based creation tools that ELA and Social Studies teachers may find useful.  They have potential for really enhancing your curriculum while engaging your students.  The first one is the Historic Tales Construction Kit.  It is based on the tapestry of Bayeaux, a masterpiece of the Middles Ages.  The second one is Myths and Legends Story Creator.  Storytellers get ten pages to share their stories and may select among a library of characters (some animated), sound effects, backgrounds, and objects, or they may upload their own images. They may scale, rotate, and move objects in front of or behind others. They may narrate by recording audio. They may add text  bubbles and comic bursts. Students will enjoy the impressive sound and image galleries.  The site also offers a library of supporting content. A how-to section supplies both dramatic and technical advice. What are myths, legends and folktales? offers valuable background relating to story genres. A Myth Map locates stories geographically. Professionally told stories serve as models for young storytellers and may be also used for classroom sharing. Text and related images are also provided for these classic tales.

Inauguration 2009

The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies has developed an impressive Inaugural site of information regarding past inauguarations and the historic one coming up next week.  On the day of the inauguration (January 20, 2009) there will be a link available to live streaming with closed captioning.  On the history tab you can watch a 33 minute video on the historical perspective of inaugural ceremonies.  The committee selected the theme, “A New Birth of Freedom” in conjunction with the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday coming up in February.  The words, ”A New Birth of Freedom” are from Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, express Lincoln’s hope that the sacrifice of those who died to preserve the United States would lead to “a new birth of freedom” for the nation.

IHA Online American History Textbook

The Independence Hall Association (IHA) in Philadelphia has released a free digital American history textbook for middle- and high-school students, which will evolve to include interactive displays, video streaming, simulations or dynamic versions of the text, and opportunities for collaboration by students and teachers.

The site, a highly trafficked online repository of American history, is owned and operated by IHA, a non-profit that founded and helps oversee management of Independence National Historical Park. In releasing this new digital textbook, the IHA’s mission is to encourage students and challenge them “to probe, dispute, dig deeper inquire” about historical events.