January 21, 1999 Applications Being Accepted for 1999 American Memory Educators Institute

Applications are being accepted for participation in the third American Memory Educators Institute, which will be held in Washington on July 18-23.

The summer institute is the cornerstone of the American Memory Fellows Program, and it focuses on using primary source materials in education. Applications must be postmarked by March 6, 1999.

American Memory (https://memory.loc.gov) is a project of the National Digital Library Program of the Library of Congress. It comprises electronic versions of unique and rare documents, photographs, sound recordings, motion pictures, maps and other media that tell the story of American history and culture. Its 42 collections provide materials that educators have used to complement history, social studies and language arts curricula. Also on-line at the Library of Congress Web site is the Learning Page (https://www.loc.gov/teachers), which is designed to provide navigational and contextual help to teachers and students using primary sources in the American Memory collections.

The Educators Institute is a six-day hands-on workshop in which 50 participants work in both large and small groups and share ideas on using primary sources in the curriculum. They learn on- line search skills, background and context for using archival collections in the classroom, and strategies for integrating Web-based material into teaching. Each two-person team will be responsible for developing an original lesson plan, unit or activity that draws upon the Library of Congress American Memory collections. In addition, each participant will be required to participate in both a pre-conference and a post-conference discussion listserv. Each participant will receive a $1,000 honorarium and round-trip transportation to Washington.

Middle and high school teachers, librarians, media specialists, technology coordinators, and curriculum specialists are invited to apply for this summer institute. Applications will be accepted only from two-person teams of educators who demonstrate:

• a creative, thoughtful project idea;
• experience in humanities teaching;
• ability to work in an on-line environment;
• collaborative work habits;
• professional leadership.

To apply, download an application package from the Learning Page (https://www.loc.gov/teachers). Or call Karen Billett at (202) 707-3847 to request a paper copy. For more information, contact Susan Veccia, Project Manager, Educational Services (202) 707-6151; svec@loc.gov.