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Christopher
Savoy
08
Project
Summary
TAH Project
Proposal
Christopher A.
Savoy
Fall 2007
Campbell-Savona
csavoy@cscs.wnyric.org
o
The purpose of the project is to create a concise and
complete reference of all Steuben County historical landmarks on a
web site. The site would contain a map with links to each landmark
which will provide a photo of the site, directions, and a more
complete report of the historical event than that which is provided
on the plaque itself. The objective is for the students to visit
these forgotten sites, research the events and write a brief report
to be posted on the web site and ultimately gain a better
appreciation for the local history while improving their research
methods.
o
The work will be done by my 11th grade US
history classes. There are about 90 students that I would have
involved however once the site has been established we could add new
markers to the web site from any student who wishes to do the
research and write the report.
o
The US History content is in local history although
many of these historical markers recognize national events.
o
The software and equipment to be used will include the
schools digital camera, my computer with disc burner, and the
business departments technical advise while constructing the web
site. Each student also has access to a computer within our LAN so
that reports, pictures, etc. can be shared via e-mail.
o
The primary student tasks will include
1.
Locate Markers
2.
Research the story behind each event
3.
Write a brief report based on their research
4.
Photograph the site
5.
Give directions to the site
Other students who are qualified and desire to
earn extra credit will consolidate all of the sites and research
onto the web site. I will provide a standardize format for the
research and directions provided by students.
o
Students will be evaluated on the adherence to the
format, content, completeness, and grammar.
o
The timeline for the project would have a clear
starting point (the approval of the project) and be an ongoing task
for at least one school year. Once the students start to bring in
research on sites the web site can be put together, and from then on
it will be updated as more students bring in their findings. I
foresee the web site being done within the school year and then it
is a matter of expanding from there. I could at that point include
7th and 8th grade students or anyone who lives
near a landmark and wants to be a part of this.
o
I considered doing a field trip to some of the choice
sites at the end of the year to allow students to present their
research on site to their peers; this of course would require
district approval. Other than that I believe we could complete this
project as an autonomous group.
TAH Project
Reflection and Evaluation
Christopher A.
Savoy
Spring 2008
Campbell-Savona
csavoy@cscsd.org
The purpose of the project is to create a
concise and complete reference of all Steuben County historical
landmarks on a web site. The site will contain a map with links to
each landmark which will provide a photo of the site, directions,
and a more complete report of the historical event than that which
is provided on the plaque itself. The students have completed the
objective of visiting these forgotten sites, the research of events
and the written reports. The work that still remains to be done is
the construction of the web site. My ultimate goal was that
students would gain a better understanding and appreciation for
their own local history and in that regard it has been a success
thus far.
The first step was to find out
what information was already out there on record filed away and
perhaps forgotten. I contacted the State Department of Education,
the New York State Historical Association (NYSHA), and the Steuben
County Historical Society. What I learned was that there was no
complete consolidated list of historical markers for the county or
the state. The original markers were erected by the NY State
Department of Education who has since abandoned the project. The
state was unable to give me any information. The remaining markers
were erected by the Boy Scouts of America and other various
historical groups, neither of which were able to provide me with a
list of markers.
The information I was able to
track down came from the Director of the Research Library for the
NYSHA Wayne Wright. He sent me three sources
·
A partial list of markers from the State, some of
which are no longer standing
·
4 pages from a short book Sure Signs by Henry
S. Ford 2002
·
A pamphlet produced by the State Guide to the
Historical Markers of NY State which contained just 3 markers
within Steuben County
It was clear that the information available
was very limited and inaccurate. The field work was done by my 11th
grade ACE US history class. I had originally planned to incorporate
all of my US History classes but soon realized that it needed to be
limited to a smaller group. There are 18 students that have been
involved however once the site has been established we can add new
markers to the web site from any student who wishes to do the
research and write the report.
The students have so far been able to:
1.
Locate Markers
2.
Research the story behind each event
3.
Write a brief report based on their research
4.
Photograph the site
5.
Give directions to the site
What remains to be done is the
construction of the web site and entry of data. In retrospect I
would have started the project in two parts with two separate
groups. The first group would start to build the web site and the
second group of students would gather the historical information.
The written reports took longer than expected with a couple of
revisions and reviews from the English department.
Several students assured me that
they could put up a web site but when time came they were not able
to produce what I was looking for. The Media Specialist for our
school was also unable to provide the help he originally promised
before leaving unexpectedly and so I was left with no real technical
help.
My goal at this point is to get
the web site running this summer and start the school year with data
entry and continue the field work to locate and record more markers
over the next few years.
Savoy Reflection 08 in
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