Progress Description

The Primary Source Learning Web site was launched in June of 2006. The purpose of the Web site is to provide a collaborative network where educators share Learning Experiences, teaching expertise, and action research in using Library of Congress resources to deepen student understanding of the school/state curriculum. The Teaching Materials Collection and My Portfolio provide an online forum for Field-testing and a design space for the creation of primary source-based instructional materials that use Best Instructional Practices to promote student learning.

History

The professional development programs and resources began development and piloting with educators in Pre-K through grade 12 classrooms in January of 2004 in Northern Virginia, United States. As of September 2006 the Northern Virginia program had served over 4,000 educators. PrimarySourceLearning.org is a collection of products created through this professional development program.

My Portfolio

My Portfolio is a design space for teachers to develop Learning Experiences using Library of Congress resources to deepen student understanding of the curriculum.

Statistics of My Portfolio use:

  • Number of Portfolios : 8424
  • Number of U.S. States Represented : 47

  • Number of Other Countries Represented : 17

Primary Source Learning Experience Collection

  • Number of Learning Experiences published : 951
  • Number of Field-Tests submitted : 813
  • Number of Field-Tests published : 808

Feedback

What educators are saying about Learning Experiences published in our collection:

"In finding your LibraryQuest, we are able to see a better way to reach our essential understanding. I have built a few LibraryQuests over the years and I can say that yours is very well done while taking the students to a higher level of understanding."

Instructional Technologist, Hong Kong International School

"My speech class used the Gettysburg Address materials and they LOVED it! We worked on that lesson for three days."

Teacher, Centerville High School, Fairfax County Public Schools, Virginia

"Thank you so much for your inspiration and support. The Civil War project would not have happened without you."

Media Specialist, Harris Bilingual Immersion School, Fort Collins, Colorado

Research

Classroom teachers in the K-12 grade setting are conducting action research to articulate what happens when students learn through analysis of primary sources. The findings of the research can be found here.

The research will focus on these questions:

  1. How does primary source analysis deepen student understanding of the curriculum?
  2. How do students use literacy strategies to read, analyze, and interpret primary sources?