ARTICLE REVIEWS BY WILLIAM TRASK - COMPUTERS AND HISTORY

Article #1 by William Trask
Theyer, Hillary.  “Planning the Future of History: Making a Digital
Historical Resource.  Computers in Libraries.  October 1999, Vol 19, Issue
9, pp 16-20.

This article tells how a library in California used computers to create a
digital resource in order to preserve its historic documents and
photographs.  Through the use of computers, the Palos Verdes Library was
able not only to preserve these historical treasures, but also able to make
them available to people around the world.  This is of great interest to
historians because it makes research much easier.

Article #2
Ritchie, Donald A.  “Www.oral history.infinity”  Oral History Review.
Summer/Fall 1999.  Vol. 26, Issue 2, pp 9-16.

This article explains how oral history has been affected by computer
technology.  According to this article, the principles by which oral
historians operate have been changed by technology.  The current
availability of oral history online is discussed, as well as the projected
future of oral history online.

Article #3
Deacon, Harriet.  “Using Computer Technology in History Teaching.”  South
African Historical Journal.  May 1998.  Issue 38, pp 3-20.

This articles weighs the pros and cons of using computer technology in
teaching history.  It explores the costs and difficulties that ensue along
with the benefits.  Educational projects requiring the use of computers are
also included.

Article #4
Cullis, Philip and Jeffreys-Jones, Rhodri.  “The Use of Computers in
Teaching American History.”  History.  January 1996.  Vol. 81, Issue 261, pp
55-65.

This article assesses seven different software programs that can be used in
American History courses.  Among the programs reviewed are: Engines of
Change: The American Industrial Revolution, 1790-1860 (by Steve Lubar); The
Enduring Vision: Interactive Edition (by Paul S. Boyer, et al); and The
Vietnam War: A HyperCard History Book (by Paul Gabel).

History reference developed by Elizabeth Tucker

GOODE, STEVEN.  “A LINK TO THE CIVIL WAR.”  THE HARTFORD COURANT.  14 FEBRUARY 1999, PH1-2.

THIS NEWSPAPER ARTICLE PROVIDES A DIRECT INTERNET LINK INTO THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY’S WEB SITE.  ON THIS SITE, THERE ARE DOZENS OF PHOTOGRAPHS OF AUTHENTIC CIVIL WAR ARTIFACTS AND EXPLANATION OF ALL ITEMS.  THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY DECIDED TO PUBLISH THIS ON THE INTERNET SO PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT ABLE TO COME TO CONNECTICUT TO VIEW THESE ARTIFACTS COULD STILL ENJOY THEM.  THIS ARTICLE AMAZES ME!  IT’S UNBELIEVABLE THAT SOMETHING AS INCREDIBLE AS A NOTE FROM ABRAHAM LINCOLN TO OUR CONNECTICUT SENATOR CAN BE EASILY ACCESSED TO ANYONE AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY!  STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO GET ANY INFORMATION NECESSARY FOR RESEARCH PROJECTS OR JUST FOR THEIR OWN INFORMATION.  MY ONLY CONCERN IS THAT SOME REFERENCE MATERIAL SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE RATED SOMEHOW TO AUTHENTICATE ACCURATE INFORMATION–HOPEFULLY IN THE FUTURE, THE GOVERNMENT CAN ESTABLISH SOME SORT OF ASSOCIATION FOR INTERNET AUTHENTICITY FOR WEB SITES.

History citations compiled by Brandon Hooker

1.PATTERSON, SUSAN(1995), "USING THE MULTIMEDIA TOOLS OF THE INTERNET
FOR TEACHING HISTORY IN K-12 SCHOOLS".

    This book explains how today's teacher can use the internet and
computers in general to greater enhance the educational level of their
classrooms.  Susan Patterson explains that the teacher can use the
internet for interpersonal exchange amongst fellow teachers as well as
students.  She also shows how information collection can be greater
enhanced through the use of search engines via the internet.  She
describes research as "mining the internet" for facts and various
opinions your students can access.  She finally describes the future
American classroom as one which stresses tele-teaching and
tele-learning.

2. Benjamin, Jules R.(1994) "A Student's Guide to History and the
Internet".

    Jules Benjamin describes the computer as a tool no student of the
future can live or survive without.  I found this to be quite true as he
mentions that a majority of the communication and learning tools will
later be found solely on the Internet.  He also describes the profound
impact computer will have on all professions in the future.  On the
topic of History, Benjamin finds that the teaching of this topic will be
greatly enhanced.  He mentions the use of computers to teach a large
scale classroom of the future.  This he attributes to the overwhelming
growth of America's school population.  He feels that the appeal of the
subject will grow as the children will learn to interpret history not
through mere facts alone, but through seeing it for themselves; via a
monitor.

3.  Samson, Linda(1995) The Internet and the Future of History
Teaching.  Social Studies, Vol 88, Issue 4, p.24-26.

        Linda Samson is a professor in the Netherlands who is writing on
her first hand experience with computer in her classroom.  She has found
that it has improved the way students interpret history and the topic as
well.  The students are now able to access facts and talk to various
children from different school districts concerning related issues.  For
instance, she describes an interschool debate concerning the European
exploration and conquest.  She found that this allowed the students to
come together to form a hypothesis and defend it; as a class.  This
showed how her class went from drab and dull, to full of life and
excitement at the flick of a switch.  This allowed for the students to
excel in history and related topics which made use of computers.

4. Oldale, Robert S.(1994) History Teaching and the Internet.Journal of
History, Vol 20, Issue#3, p.56-60.

    Robert Oldale has found that the Internet is playing a much more
influential role than it had in the past, throughout America's schools.
Mr. Oldale has found that the power to teach and learn is being taken to
the next level.  He feels that while computers are beneficial, a teacher
must still structure his curriculum upon the basics.  While he appears
to be somewhat conservative, he does say that the basic curriculum would
be enhanced through the options a computer possesses.  He feels that the
computer should be used as a support system to learning, not the main
tool.  The teacher is still the head of the class and learning should
not com solely from a multimedia tool.
        His vision of the future would entail using the computer as a
means to allow students to attain extra help while they are at home.
This would involve the emailing both teachers and fellow students
alike.  This new form of learning will allow the student to gain the
extra help he/she needs without the anxiety of constantly asking for
help during class times.