The Doughboy Foundation, a non-profit organization devoted to World War I education, offers a comprehensive suite of high-quality WWI Teaching Resources that aim to support the ability of teachers to convey and students to grasp the profound effect of WWI on America.
The resources, which include Augmented Reality Apps and lessons that provide an interactive and engaging way to teach and learn about World War I, can be accessed through Verizon Innovative Learning HQ. Verizon Innovative Learning HQ is an award-winning, free education portal that makes next-gen learning tools, including a curated collection of lesson plans, available to K–12 educators nationwide.
The Doughboy Foundation’s WWI Teaching Resources, which were created under the direction of the U.S. WWI Centennial Commission, include a series of video documentaries called “How WWI Changed America,” which were developed with the help of prominent WWI historical experts. The scholars include Dr. Libby O’Connell, Chief Historian Emeritus for the Discovery Channel; Dr. Chris Capozzola, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Dr. Jennifer Keene from Chapman University; Dr. John Morrow Jr. of the University of Georgia; Dr. Jeffrey Sammons from New York University; and Dr. Herman Viola, Curator Emeritus of the Smithsonian Institution, among others.
The resources include:
- Adaptable teacher guides aligned to common standards;
- A comprehensive 20-page history eBook called The United States in WWI;
- Augmented Reality Apps providing an interactive and immersive experience of WWI history;
- A series of 5-7 minute documentaries, “How WWI Changed America,” designed to initiate discussion and engagement;
- Compelling primary source “Spot Lights” for in-depth exploration of topics;
- Easy-to-use teacher guides; and
- Student worksheets with suggested activities.
To provide a complete picture of the impact of the war on American society, the WWI Teaching Resources look at the war through the experiences of women, Black and Native Americans, and immigrants; as well as through lenses such as the Bill of Rights, propaganda, and more.
Created for use in history or civic classes in grades 7–12, the free resources are standards-driven and flexible. Teachers can use them to plan and deliver lessons about WWI for as short as a single day or as long as a full school week or more.
To further immerse today’s students in history, the Doughboy Foundation has also made its National WWI Memorial “Virtual Explorer” and “Visitor Guide” apps available through Verizon Innovative Learning HQ, as well as through the Apple and Android app stores. Using the new National WWI Memorial in Washington DC as an organizing principle, these interactive apps bring WWI history to life with augmented reality objects like a 50 ft. tall timeline tower, full size walk-around models of WWI vehicles like airplanes, tanks and ambulances, and over 60 embedded video discoveries, all while offering a virtual field trip to the Memorial.
Educators can learn more about the WWI Teaching Resources and access them through Verizon Innovative Learning HQ here.
