Making History: The MDL and the K-12 Teaching and Learning Community

MDL Annual
Meeting, 2006 © Sandbox Studios Inc.Kris Wetterlund and Scott Sayre
©BlueEarthCountyHistoricalSociety
Digital Resources
and the K-12 Community
Kris Wetterlund and Scott SayreKris Wetterlund and Scott Sayre
Sandbox StudiosSandbox Studios

MDL Annual
Goals of the Research ProjectGoals of the Research Project
1. To inform MDLC members of the current state of K–12
social studies teaching in Minnesota.
2. To identify current practices and trends in Minnesota’s K–
12 social studies teaching that might guide the MDLC’s
future cataloging and interface development.
3. To inform future development of the Minnesota Digital
Library in communications with Minnesota’s teaching
community and in teacher training opportunities and
planning.
4. To uncover the potential value of the Minnesota Digital
Library for K–12 teachers in Minnesota.

MDL Annual
Project MethodologyProject Methodology
• Online Teacher SurveyOnline Teacher Survey
• Focus GroupsFocus Groups
– 4 focus groups conducted throughout state4 focus groups conducted throughout state
- Minneapolis, Bemidji, Moorhead and Rochester- Minneapolis, Bemidji, Moorhead and Rochester
• Curriculum ReviewCurriculum Review

MDL Annual
K-12 Teacher SurveyK-12 Teacher Survey
Demographics:Demographics:
• 70 Teachers responded70 Teachers responded
– 21% teach elementary21% teach elementary
– 44% teach middle school44% teach middle school
– 35% teach high school35% teach high school
• 50% teach in 7 county metro50% teach in 7 county metro
and 50% greater MNand 50% greater MN

MDL Annual
Use of the InternetUse of the Internet
• 43% of respondents said they used the Internet43% of respondents said they used the Internet
or other digital resources once a day or more foror other digital resources once a day or more for
their own research and/or preparation.their own research and/or preparation.

MDL Annual
Use of the InternetUse of the Internet
Obstacles to Using Digital Resources in Teaching
50% 48%
22%
9%
13%
27%
32% 33%
13%
17%
35%
38%
25%
8%
11%
21%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Lack of Time Availability of hardware,
software or support
Lack of content Lack of training
1st Most Common Obstacle 2nd Most Common 3rd Most Common 4th Most Common Obstacle

MDL Annual
Using Images for TeachingUsing Images for Teaching
Image Resources Used in Teaching
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Books Overhead trans. Videos, DVD PowerPoint , etc. Posters CD ROM or
DVDs
Prints or
postcards
Slides
Often use Occasionally use Rarely use Never use

MDL Annual
Image Technology UsageImage Technology Usage
Image Technology Usage
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Color Copier
LCD/Data Projector
Digital Camera
CD or DVD Burner
DVD player & Monitor
Color Printer
VCR & Monitor
Overhead Projector
Every day
Few times a week
Once a week
Rarely
Never

MDL Annual
Use of Primary Source MaterialsUse of Primary Source Materials
Most Useful Primary Source Materials
62%
62%
64%
64%
67%
67%
73%
78%
80%
82%
85%
89%
95%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Postcards
Audio Recordings
Books
Works of art
Posters
3D Artifacts
Letters
Documents
Video/Film
Diaries
Maps
Newspapers
Photographs
Teacher Preference

MDL Annual
Teaching Minnesota HistoryTeaching Minnesota History
• 35% of the survey respondents currently teach35% of the survey respondents currently teach
Minnesota HistoryMinnesota History
Note: Minnesota social studies standards wereNote: Minnesota social studies standards were
revised in 2004 and now include a separaterevised in 2004 and now include a separate
strand for Minnesota History grades 4-8.strand for Minnesota History grades 4-8.
The new standards must be fully implemented byThe new standards must be fully implemented by
the 2006-2007 school year.the 2006-2007 school year.

MDL Annual
Top 5 History Topics taught in Grades 4 – 8Top 5 History Topics taught in Grades 4 – 8
1.1. Immigration in Minnesota (29)Immigration in Minnesota (29)
2.2. Towns and Cities in Minnesota (26)Towns and Cities in Minnesota (26)
3.3. Minnesota Fur Trade (24)Minnesota Fur Trade (24)
4.4. Louisiana Purchase (24)Louisiana Purchase (24)
5.5. Minnesota Landmarks (23)Minnesota Landmarks (23)

MDL Annual
Top 5 High School History TopicsTop 5 High School History Topics
1.1. Louisiana Purchase (16)Louisiana Purchase (16)
2.2. Indian Reservations (15)Indian Reservations (15)
3.3. War of 1812 (14)War of 1812 (14)
4.4. Immigration in Minnesota (13)Immigration in Minnesota (13)
5.5. Minnesota State Offices & Elected Officials (12)Minnesota State Offices & Elected Officials (12)

MDL Annual
K-12 Teacher Focus GroupsK-12 Teacher Focus Groups
Current Opportunities & Obstacles in AccessingCurrent Opportunities & Obstacles in Accessing
School Computer LabsSchool Computer Labs
• There are computer labs in almost all schools,There are computer labs in almost all schools,
but Social Studies teachers have difficultybut Social Studies teachers have difficulty
accessing them.accessing them.
• Technical support limitedTechnical support limited
– Filters may block content areasFilters may block content areas
– Broken hardware and poor network and computerBroken hardware and poor network and computer
configurationconfiguration
• Schools with mobile access labs reported moreSchools with mobile access labs reported more
use with fewer problems.use with fewer problems.

MDL Annual
Finding Time to Learn About New ResourcesFinding Time to Learn About New Resources
• Workshops are the best way for teachers toWorkshops are the best way for teachers to
learn how to incorporate new technology intolearn how to incorporate new technology into
existing practices.existing practices.
– Paying for substitutesPaying for substitutes
– Regional workshop offeringsRegional workshop offerings
– Agencies working togetherAgencies working together
– No agreement on best time of the yearNo agreement on best time of the year

MDL Annual
Support MaterialsSupport Materials
• Data about the content of the image is criticalData about the content of the image is critical
– WhoWho
– WhatWhat
– WhereWhere
– WhenWhen
– Interpretation of relevance to Minnesota historyInterpretation of relevance to Minnesota history
• Information on how to correctly cite an imageInformation on how to correctly cite an image
• Interactive features their students can useInteractive features their students can use
• Availability of pre-assembled PowerPointAvailability of pre-assembled PowerPoint
presentation (slide trays)presentation (slide trays)

MDL Annual
Using Digital ImagesUsing Digital Images
• Almost all teachers use overhead projectors withAlmost all teachers use overhead projectors with
black and white transparenciesblack and white transparencies
• Many teachers have Powerpoint but to not haveMany teachers have Powerpoint but to not have
reliable access to a data projectorreliable access to a data projector
• Image size is importantImage size is important

MDL Annual
K-12 Curriculum ReviewK-12 Curriculum Review
Objectives:Objectives:
1)1) Identify opportunities within the greater context ofIdentify opportunities within the greater context of
American History to teach Minnesota History.American History to teach Minnesota History.
2)2) Identify vocabulary to be used as keywords in the MDLIdentify vocabulary to be used as keywords in the MDL
metadata.metadata.
Sources of information on current textsSources of information on current texts
• Teacher surveyTeacher survey
• American textbook councilAmerican textbook council

MDL Annual
According to a consumer’s guide to high schoolAccording to a consumer’s guide to high school
history textbooks:history textbooks:
““Indeed, the differences between the variousIndeed, the differences between the various
formats of these sprawling and cumbersomeformats of these sprawling and cumbersome
textbooks, are not even as great as thosetextbooks, are not even as great as those
distinguishing, say, the Whopper and the Bigdistinguishing, say, the Whopper and the Big
Mac. Rather it is more like the differenceMac. Rather it is more like the difference
between the Big Mac, with or without cheese.”between the Big Mac, with or without cheese.”

MDL Annual
Reviewed Harcourt BraceReviewed Harcourt Brace Social StudiesSocial Studies 20002000

MDL Annual
State of the State’sState of the State’s
Educational TechnologyEducational Technology
In 2005 :In 2005 :
• Minnesota invested 1.7 million dollars to serveMinnesota invested 1.7 million dollars to serve
846, 891 students.846, 891 students.
• Wisconsin invested 18.5 million to serve 881,000Wisconsin invested 18.5 million to serve 881,000
students.students.
• South Dakota invested 8.2 million to serveSouth Dakota invested 8.2 million to serve
128,000 students.128,000 students.
Electronic Transfer: Moving Technology Dollars in New Directions, Edweek Technology Counts 2005Electronic Transfer: Moving Technology Dollars in New Directions, Edweek Technology Counts 2005

MDL Annual
State of the State’sState of the State’s
Educational TechnologyEducational Technology
Minnesota is only one of two states that has not adopted anyMinnesota is only one of two states that has not adopted any
standards related to technology training in schools.standards related to technology training in schools.
Nationally:Nationally:
• 48 states adopted standards for students48 states adopted standards for students
• 40 states have adopted standards for teachers40 states have adopted standards for teachers
• 32 states have standards for school administrators32 states have standards for school administrators
Electronic Transfer: Moving Technology Dollars in New Directions, Edweek Technology Counts 2005Electronic Transfer: Moving Technology Dollars in New Directions, Edweek Technology Counts 2005

MDL Annual
MDL and K-12 Teachers and StudentsMDL and K-12 Teachers and Students
RecommendationsRecommendations
1. Training is Key for Resource Adoption and Use
Problem Identified:
Teachers overwhelmingly identified the lack of dedicated time
to learn about digital resources and create new materials as
one of the greatest obstacles to utilizing digital resources in
their preparation and teaching.
Proposed Solution:
The MDLC needs to develop and offer regional training
programs to provide teachers with time dedicated to learning
about the Minnesota Digital Library and explore ways its
resources can be used in their teaching.

MDL Annual
2. Digital Resources Must Be Developed with
Multiple Uses in Mind
Problem Identified:
The majority of K–12 teachers currently have significant
obstacles in accessing and/or utilizing digital resources in
their teaching due to hardware or support restrictions.
Proposed Solution:
To assure most effective widespread use, the MDL needs to
design its Web site and the resources within it to easily
facilitate both digital and analog/hardcopy forms of delivery.

MDL Annual
3. Create a Method for Delivering and Sharing
Downloadable, Pre-packaged Sets of Images
Problem Identified:
Many teachers, particularly those with limited access to data
projectors, often face logistical obstacles and are hesitant to
invest time in creating their own digital presentations.
Proposed Solution:
Develop a component of the Minnesota Digital Library to
serve as a clearinghouse for pre-built PowerPoint
presentations on common topics studied in Minnesota history.

MDL Annual
4. Develop Keyword- and Content-Organizing Options
Compatible with K–12 Teaching Practices
Problem Identified:
Web resources and content databases are often developed
only around high-level identifiers and concepts, making it
particularly difficult for K–12 teachers to locate content
pertinent to their needs and activities.
Proposed Solution:
All images and other media resources within the Minnesota
Digital Library should, at a minimum, contain subject matter
information related to who is in the image, the subject of the
image, and when and where the image was made.

MDL Annual
5. Continue to Expand the Number of Available Images
and Rich Media Resources
Problem Identified:
Even though there is a growing emphasis on the use of
primary sources, there is still limited access to primary source
materials relevant to the K–12 Social Studies curriculum.
Proposed Solution:
Expand the emphasis and specifications on the digitization of
images and rich media with direct relevance to the needs of
K–12 teachers and learners.

MDL Annual
6. Work Cooperatively with Other Cultural Institutions
and Agencies
Problem Identified:
Teachers and students find it difficult to choose between and
differentiate similar resources and initiatives.
Proposed Solution:
The Minnesota Digital Library should make every effort to
work in partnership with other cultural institutions and
agencies to maximize its impact, minimize redundancies and
clarify relationships.

MDL Annual
Kris WetterlundKris Wetterlund
kris@sandboxstudios.orgkris@sandboxstudios.org
Scott SayreScott Sayre
scott@sandboxstudios.orgscott@sandboxstudios.org

Making History: The MDL and the K-12 Teaching and Learning Community

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Making History: The MDL and the K-12 Teaching and Learning Community