1812: Who Won the War? is an interactive resource designed to create a dynamic and engaging experience in American and Canadian classrooms. This exceptional digital tool enhances the study of a war that shaped the future of the United States and Canada.
1812: Who Won the War? encourages teachers to make the study of history a verb; that is, for students to “do history” in the same way that students “do science.” It meshes with mandated social studies curricula in all 50 U.S. states and 10 Canadian provinces. Extensive field-testing has demonstrated that the ebook’s interactive characteristics allow a broad range of students – Grades 6 to 12 - to successfully use 1812: Who Won the War?
Students engage in a simulation experience on the causes of the War of 1812. To broaden their understanding of the war, they follow links between 21 accounts of battles, 29 biographies of prominent wartime personalities and 9 featured studies including the contribution of women, African Americans and Aboriginal peoples. Students can explore 3D animations of weaponry and medical practices of the time. A role-play opportunity enables students to participate in “real-time” negotiations to create a peace treaty to end the war and then compare their pact with the actual Treaty of Ghent.
Other components include a video providing an overview of the War of 1812, maps illustrating the various theatres of conflict, an interactive timeline, a summary of the war’s legacy and links to notable War of 1812 websites.
1812: Who Won the War? contains a Teacher's Guide on how to use the ebook, instructions on classroom activities and printable graphic organizers. As well, it explains the pedagogy behind the emphasis on historical thinking skills. The goal is to have students actively experience history. The outcome is for students to form reasoned conclusions about the past and to apply these conclusions to their present-day world.
A stellar array of educational organizations from both the United States and Canada are partners in the production of 1812: Who Won the War? American partners include: the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) and many of its state affiliates; the National Council for History Education; the Embassy of the United States, Ottawa; the U.S. Department of Education Title VI National Resource Centers on Canada at U. Maine, SUNY – Plattsburgh, U. Washington, and U. Western Washington. The Canadian partners are Canadian Heritage, Foreign Affairs & International Trade Canada, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, and provincial social studies teachers’ associations from coast-to-coast.
