Online Lessons: As Diverse as the American Mind!

Kim mentioned she was looking for free resources - this is a reprint of my post for eSchool News. The resources that this site provides are outstanding and free!

Looking for student-ready, project-based lessons for students in grades 3-8? Need 24/7 access to the lessons and the content? No budget? Then the Adventure of the American Mind (AAM) program has great news for you – they can provide all of this to you for free!

The AAM Online Education Program (www.aamonline.org) has online lessons using digitized content from the Library of Congress that students can work on independently. Each lesson has a video preview and a lesson guide, as well as, supplemental materials for teacher use. In addition, lessons feature Microsoft Office technical tutorials and academic tutorials.

The Adventures of the American Mind program began in 1999 as a professional development to prepare K-12 teachers to integrate digital resources from the Library of Congress’ website (www.loc.gov). It began as one program in western North Carolina and has expanded to seven states with 27 programs!

The AAM program offers workshops, graduate courses, online professional development and faculty education, in addition to the online student lessons. Workshops are conducted at the school - using the technology resources available at the school. The workshops are grounded in adult learning theory and are practical in nature. By meeting the teachers and the schools at their technology levels the program ensures success.

The AAM program is designed around 3 Levels of Integration. The presenters’ shared several examples of lessons created by teachers at all three levels and even shared with us lessons created using digital content from the Library of Congress by the teachers’ students! The lessons were high quality and very well done. Some were even award winners!

I was impressed with the presenters’ enthusiasm and passion for the AAM program. I think their practical, success-oriented approach to professional development builds teachers confidence and comfort level with technology. This program offers a way for teachers to learn how to integrate technology at various levels and the support the teachers need when trying a new teaching style.

Locate an AAM partner near you www.aamprogram.org/introduction/aam_partners.aspx