Using WebCT and Horizon Live Wimba, AAM-Colorado is offering a blended learning solution to the teachers of Colorado. A series of workshops related to primary sources, searching American Memory, and technology are offered to teachers in both face-to-face and online formats. As part of the AAM-Colorado grant, the Workshops are offered for no charge to Colorado teachers. The modular format allows participants to select the number of workshops and the amount of professional development or college credit they desire.

In addition, the AAM-Colorado project has created prototype lesson plans that demonstrate the use of primary sources and the use of rich media such as DVD video, audio, and animation in the K-12 classroom.

Why Use Primary Sources? Primary sources are snippets of history that may include sources such as letters, manuscripts, diaries, journals, newspapers, speeches, photos and interviews. They often come with minimal context. Analysis of primary sources deepens student understanding of the curriculum, by developing memory, reason and imagination to foster empathy for the past, perspectives on the present, and the ability to influence the future.

American Memory American Memory http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/ provides free and open access through the Internet to written and spoken words, sound recordings, still and moving images, prints, maps, and sheet music that document the American experience. It is a digital record of American history and creativity.