History and Technology

Make History Fun with Technology!

In a world where technology is constantly changing and new apps are created everyday, there are several great opportunities for people to incorporate history with technology.  Here are a few ways to easily integrate technology with history to make learning about the past meaningful and memorable. 

Explore History with Free History Apps. 


History Quizzes & Games

To test your knowledge of history and see how much you are learning, try these free apps and games for IPhone and IPad.   






Explore Historic Sites & Museums

Explore famous Historic Sites and Museums through these fun and engaging apps that allow history students to get close to history from anywhere. 

1. Natural History Museum Guide

 2. A Century of Style: Costume and Colour 1800-1899


History of Technology Research Topics

Make history relevant by connecting the past to the present.  If you are more interested in the future, take a second to think about what our lives would be like today if the technology we use on a daily basis had never been invented. 


History Activity

1. Pick at least one device from the list below
Cell Phones
Tablets
Digital Cameras
iPod & MP3 Players
Laptop Computers


2. Interview someone from a different generation (Parent, Grandparent, or older Sibling) about how the device you chose from step 1 compares to the device(s) they have used over the years.  This is a great chance to utilize and practice your history interview skills. 

Here are some great books on history interview skills:

Oral History for the Family Historian: A Basic Guide by Linda A. Barnickel (2006)

The Oral History Workshop: Collect and Celebrate the Life Stories of Your Family and Friends by Cynthia Hart, with Lisa Samson (2009)

Doing Oral History by Donald A. Ritchie. Third Edition. 

3. Create a timeline with the information you learn from interviewing people from different generations.  On your timeline include the device, descriptions and details about the device, and inventors.  This step will require some history research to find dates, names of inventors, and other important information.  As you complete your timeline, challenge yourself to see how far back in time you can get to find the earliest prototype for your device.  (For example, if you chose a cell phone include information on the first telephone invented, the inventor, and other significant developments and advances in telephone technology.)     

4. The next step is to experience life without this device.  Choose the amount of time you want to test, record how much time (1 hr., 24 hrs., etc.)  you plan on going without your device, and keep a journal about your experiences without this device.  Be sure to note any specific challenges you encountered. 


 

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