Library of Congress Launches Two New Educational Apps for Use in K-12 Classrooms

From LC:

The Library of Congress, in collaboration with educational organizations, today announced the launch of two new web- and mobile-based applications related to Congress and civics for use in K-12 classrooms.
These new applications transport students through primary sources to some of the most dramatic turning points in U.S. history and immerse them in the related debates.
Students can investigate complex questions through both applications, as well as three apps that launched in 2016.
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The two new civics interactives are:

• DBQuest, developed by iCivics. DBQuest teaches history and civics through the use of primary source documents and evidence-based learning. It offers a platform, accessible on mobile devices, that reinforces evidence-based reasoning and document-based questioning by teaching students to identify and evaluate evidence, contextualize information and write sound supporting arguments.

• Case Maker, developed by Bean Creative. Case Maker is a customizable system for inquiry-based learning for K-12 students using primary sources from the Library of Congress. Modeled after the “observe, reflect, question” framework, developed under the Teaching with Primary Sources program, Case Maker guides students to challenge a question, collect evidence and make a case.

In 2016, the Library received proposals from a wide range of organizations, including institutions of higher education, cultural institutions and other collaborative partnerships to develop educational apps.
The selected organizations, iCivics and Bean Creative, have long records of success in developing and implementing curricular programs. Both worked closely with the Library’s Teaching with Primary Sources program in the creation of their interactives.
For more information about the congressional grant opportunity that supported the development of these apps, see loc.gov/teachers/newsevents/ for updates. A second group of organizations was selected in 2018 – their projects are scheduled to launch in 2020.

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