Teachers have long recognized the value of students reading accounts of historical events written in the words of those who were there. Excerpts from James Madison's journals kept during the Constitutional Convention is a typical example of the primary sources that teachers use to explain how the Constitution was developed and how it is interpreted today. But the Internet opens the way to an enormous range of resources. Many web sites include photographs, songs, and even motion picture excerpts. A Pentium-based computer and a fast Internet connection are necessary to use these resources effectively, but imagine the projects students can develop with them.
Primary sources are available in social studies content areas other than history or government.
From lesson plans to links to all sorts of helpful sites, economics teachers will find what they are looking for. Portal sites for individual grade levels, subjects, or courses are frequently part of a school's larger portal site. Student pages can include homework assignments, a course syllabus, links to resources specifically tailored to class assignments, and even grading rubrics. In some communities, parents are encouraged to use these sites to stay informed of student assignments and school news. Teachers and students can take field trips via the Internet.