Search & Explore features for classroom use

Two search and explore methods:  The online database for Ken Burns’ THE WAR allows students to search using either a list of dozens of Themes & Topics or using a Media Gallery interface to search and explore by images and objects. Either method provides access to a powerful database of World War II era images and media.   A key word search is also included.

Download assets for projects: Students can download photos, historical documents and artifacts to incorporate into written reports, multimedia presentations, blogs and web sites.  Remind students to cite the copyright / acknowledge source for each object they use. 
NOTE: To download photos, historic documents and artifacts on a PC, right click on the image. On a Mac, hold the control key and click on the image. 

Collect images and media on a “favorites list”: The Search & Explore Favorites tool allows students to collect videos, photos, and artifacts found while searching THE WAR database.  Students simply can click on the “Add to Favorites” button while looking at an item in the Search & Explore feature and the photo, video clip or historic artifact will be added to the “Favorites” page.  From the Favorites page, any item can be deleted from the list.

Save favorites list for future use: Favorites are stored temporarily as a “cookie” on the hard drive of a user’s computer.  If you want to assure that students can access their collection later, instruct them to click on the “Save my favorites” button to e-mail the list to themselves.  The screen will prompt students to provide an e-mail address, name the collection and write comments about the items on the list.  The system will send the student an e-mail that includes the collection and the information the user wrote about the collection. Students can use this e-mail link to access their collection at any time.

Send a collection to a friend (or teacher): Students can create a collection and send it to a friend, a parent, another student or a teacher. To send a collection, a user simply clicks on the “Share my favorites” button and follows the on-screen directions to e-mail the collection to a friend.  The screen will prompt students to provide their name and e-mail address, and their friend’s e-mail address. It also will prompt them to name the collection and write comments about the items on the list.  The system will send the recipient an e-mail that includes the sender’s name, the collection name and the information the sender wrote about the collection. Teachers can use this feature to collect “search and explore” assignments.

Print a collection: Students can use the “Print my favorites” button on the Favorites page to print the collection list.  Students can print any image, document, or artifact in the database or Favorites list by using the browser’s print button. 

Ways to use the Search & Explore features in the classroom

Several of the lesson plans and snapshot activities provided on this web site incorporate the use of the Search & Explore feature into the classroom experience.  Here are a few other ways this tool can be used:

Research tool - Assign students to use the Search & Explore database to explore a topic, theme, issue, battle or witness from THE WAR.  

• Assign each student a theme or a topic related to World War II to explore (or allow them to choose their own). Ask students to use either the Themes & Topics or Media Gallery search feature.
• Tell students to explore the topic and use the Favorites tool to add pertinent items to a collection.
• When done, ask the student to name his or her collection and write a statement about why he or she chose particular items and how each item relates to the larger topic or theme being explored.  Then send it to a classmate via e-mail for peer review.
• Note: Instead of sending the collection to a classmate, students can send it to their teacher or print it for personal use and reference. 

Image & media collection tool - Instruct students to use the Search & Explore Favorites tool to gather artifacts for a written report, multimedia presentation, blog or web site.

• Assign each student a theme or a topic elated to World War II to explore (or allow them to choose their own). Ask students to use either the Themes & Topics or Media Gallery search feature to find images and historic artifacts they want to use in a written report, multimedia presentation, web site, or blog.
• Tell students to explore the topic and use the Favorites tool to add pertinent items to a collection.
• When done, students can e-mail the collection to their personal e-mail address.  They can then incorporate the objects into their report, presentation, blog or web site. Remind students either to cite the copyright or acknowledge the source for each object they use. 

Discovery learning experience – As a homework assignment, asks students to use the Search & Explore database to locate 10-to-15 artifacts they find especially interesting.

• Ask students to use either the Themes & Topics or Media Gallery search feature to find 10-15 images, media clips or artifacts that speak to them and have them place the items on a Favorites list. 
• When done, ask the student to name his or her collection and write a statement about why he or she chose particular items.  Then send it to a classmate via e-mail for peer review.
• Note: Instead of sending the collection to a classmate, students can send it to their teacher or print it for personal use and reference.

Video enrichment / reflection experience – Watch an episode of THE WAR and instruct students to further explore the topics and issues in the episode by using the Search & Explore database.

• Watch an episode or a portion of an episode from THE WAR.
• Ask students to use either the Themes & Topics or Media Gallery feature to research themes, events and witnesses involved in the episode and create a Favorites collection of objects related to the episode.
• When done, ask the student to name his or her collection and write a statement about why he or she chose particular items and how each item relates to the themes of the episode.  Then send it to a classmate via e-mail for peer review.
• Note: Instead of sending the collection to a classmate, students can send it to their teacher or print it for personal use and reference.

Classroom presentation aid – As an instructor, use the Search & Explore Favorites tool to collect images, video clips and historical artifacts you can use to enhance classroom lectures, discussions, or multimedia presentations related to World War II.   Use the Favorites tool as a “Video control center” to select and play video clips for classroom viewing. Incorporate the items into a PowerPoint, Keynote, or other similar presentation tool. Remember either to cite the copyright or acknowledge the source for each object you use.