With over 1,600 responses in 2 months, our survey and poster giveaway proved to be incredibly successful. A big thank you must go to everyone who took part.
In a nutshell:
One of the strongest themes to emerge is the value of access to real documents for both teachers and students. The following comment sums up the view of many teachers:
"It's an excellent resource, giving access to a range of documents which really bring history to life for the pupils."
Learning Curve has been shortlisted from 345 entrants as a finalist in the e-Government National Awards for the second year in succession. We'll be dusting off our ball gowns and dickies for the awards ceremony in January and hoping for another gong to stand on the Learning Curve mantelpiece.
Don't forget to submit your entry for the Learning Curve competition! The closing date for submissions is 28th February 2007, and full details can be found at: http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/competition
Focus On Film
The National Archives has joined forces with South East Grid for Learning to redevelop the ever-popular OnFilm section of the Learning Curve and provide an enlarged archive of original film clips, newly developed classroom activities and a stunning online video-editing tool that will allow students to work directly with the materials.
Civil War
Two interpreters, playing the roles of Bishop Richard Hyde and Puritan Adam Right, debate the causes of the Civil War.
Transatlantic Slavery
Marking the bicentenary commemorations of the abolition of slavery, this workshop focuses on Africa before and at the time of slavery, the importance of the slave trade, what life was like for the enslaved, and the role of the enslaved in the abolition of slavery. An onsite workshop will also be available.
Elizabeth Hallam Smith is Director of Information Services and Librarian at the House of Lords. As a former Director of Public Services at The National Archives, she was present at the (then) PRO in 1998, when the Learning Curve was launched by the Prime Minister.
One of the strengths of the Learning Curve has always been that teachers and pupils are consulted and involved in creating its content. A high point for me was when in 2000 the Learning Curve was the overall winner in the Cabinet Office/PriceWaterhouseCoopers awards for innovation and risk management in government, with a special extra award for its 'Wow factor'! I am delighted to see that it has continued to go from strength to strength, and now has 1.8 million visitors a year.
Family History has recently become a national obsession! It received a major boost from the online appearance of the censuses and other key sources from 2002 onwards. All this built up to the TV programme "Who Do You Think You Are". It is great to see a Learning Curve snapshot on Victorian Family History, written by Nick Barratt – a major contributor to the TV programme. Drawing on key records for family historians including census returns, it gives an insight into the life of William Robert Towers, imprisoned and sentenced to a month's hard labour in 1872 at the age of 12 - for stealing 2 rabbits. This snapshot is a splendid way to start them young on family history!
Some of my own ancestors came from west Wales, and another snapshot, pleasingly available in Welsh as well as English, contains some graphic material on the Rebecca Riots. These took place in rural areas including Pembrokeshire, Cardiganshire, and Carmarthenshire, in 1839-43. Tenant farmers protested against the payment of tolls charged on the turnpike roads. Disguising themselves as women, they attacked the tollgates and carried off – and presumably destroyed - the account books containing the names of the people who had refused to pay tolls!
The Great War (World War One) section of the site contains many really fascinating resources, including details of the last reunion of the survivors from the trenches – then aged between 102 and 108 - in 2003.
Films, Videoconferences and Posters! Join us on Stand T14 at the BETT Show, Olympia, London 10-13 January 2007
Learning Curve are launching the new version of Focus on Film on Stand T14 at the educational technology show this January. Be the first to try out this exciting new resource, collect a whole new set of stunning posters for free and see our 'videoconference across time' as we interview a soldier in the trenches of World War One.
The Institute of Education at the University of London is carrying out a study into how teachers make use of Museums and Archives both inside and outside the classroom. To participate in this research just follow the link to the survey at www.museumwebsurvey.com. As a thank you for your time and comments you will be entered into a draw to win a free iPod Shuffle. The survey closes on 19th January 2007.
December
24th December 1914: A Christmas Truce took place in The Great War between British and German Soldiers. What was life like for the British Soldiers in the trenches?
20th December 1959: Ho Chi Minh, leader of the Republic of North Vietnam, formed the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam (known as NLF and also as Viet Cong). Was Vietnam a turning point in the Cold War?
January
30th January 1649: Charles I executed. Find out how Britain became a republic.
30th January 1933: Adolf Hitler was sworn in as Chancellor of Germany. Was Hitler a 'passionate lunatic'?
February
13th February 1945: World War II. Britain ordered 300 Lancaster bombers to attack the crowded German city of Dresden. Was Winston Churchill a Hero or Villain?
16th February 1882: An explosion occurred at Trimdon Grange colliery, causing the deaths of 74 people.
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For a free guide on Learning Curve and ICT in history, download our updated Teacher's booklet.
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