Peer Review

Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate: Institute Resources for Educators

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Oct 24, 2016 by Teacher Education

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

A visit to the EMKI is a highly immersive and interactive experience. Whether planning a class visit to the institute or learning about the U.S. Senate from afar, political science, social studies, and civics educators will find lesson plans relevant to the insitute's misson: educating the public about the U.S. Senate.

The lesson plans include oral histories, videos, and simulated immersive modules.

The educator resources are part of a larger website that supports the many activities of the institute. https://www.emki.org

Type of Material:

Collection

Recommended Uses:

To use in-class to ready students for trip to EMKI. For those unable to make the trip can be used in a team environment to help learners discuss issues and learn about the art of compromise. This site can provide background material on recent U.S. history for teachers and students.

Technical Requirements:

Must be able to access .pdf files and videos.

Identify Major Learning Goals:

To prepare students for a field trip to the EMKI where they will experience an immersive interactive experience in the role of United States Senator. To learn about the issues facing today's U.S. Senate such as immigration, To learn about the work and life of Senator Kennedy

Target Student Population:

Middle School, High School, College,those interested in political science and aspiring social science educators.

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

Must be able to view videos and .pdf files. For many of the SIM materials a visit to the Library is required.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:: The curricular material for the Senate Immersion Modules is of high quality with excellent instructional plans that key on learning objectives and instructional outcomes. The oral histories and videos are well-designed and provide a larger context for the concepts to be learned. The videos include materials from both Democrats and Republicans. The Oral History link, maintained by the University of Virginia is a compilation of interviews documenting highlights of issues connected with Senator Kennedy's years of service.
Concerns:: Almost all of the SIM material is targeted to visits to the library. Teachers may be able to adapt to a classroom.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:: The materials give background information on political issues and what to expect in the Senate Immersion experience when visiting the Institute. Detailed curricula including lesson plans are available with learning objectives well-defined. For those unable to make a field trip to EMKI, the materials can be adapted to the different environment.
Concerns:: No lesson plans for the videos or oral histories.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: Teachers can easily follow the material. The material packets for the SIM preparations are downloadable in .PDF format. They are well-written and self-explanatory. Materials such as videos and oral histories act as enhancements to these packets.
Concerns:: The Oral Histories did require a jump to a different site, but the site is well marked and explained.

Other Issues and Comments:: One reviewer visited the Institute before seeing these materials. The Institute is an amazing immersive experience and these preparatory materials prepare learners for the experience. The SIM lesson plans are well-designed. The oral histories and videos act as material that can be included in within the lesson plans.
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