Technology Review: Election Central

ELECTION CENTRAL from PBS LearningMedia is an educational guide to the United States elections.

The website is divided into six sections.

The Election Collection section contains links to exemplary election-themed resources to enhance lesson plans and spark discussion.

Inside the Debates explores the role of debates as a forum for candidates to share their view. Resources including behind-the-scenes materials, debate guidelines, debate video, and connections with debates in history.

The Interactive Map shows the delegate count and provides information about the election process in each state.

The Election Process section provides resources to help young people learn about the electoral college, caucuses, primaries, conventions, and more.

The Virtual Field Trips provides links to government-related field trips that focus on the political process.

50 for 50 is a contest connected with the 2016 election.

Librarians will find this website to be useful across grade levels. Consider creating an election center in the library that includes a display, books related to elections, and a tablet containing this website.

To visit the website, go to http://www.pbseduelectioncentral.com/.

App Review: Explore 9/11

The EXPLORE 9/11 app from the National September 11 Memorial and Museum is a guide to understanding the history of the World Trade Center and the 9/11 tragedy.

The app contains three features including a map mode, story mode, and tribute mode. Rotate your device to switch between the map and story modes.

The Map Mode allows users to explore the map of the Memorial plaza and museum. Tapping on hotspots provide access to videos, photographs, and other images. Audio recordings from first responders and survivors are also included.

The Story Mode lets users explore chapters with background information about the history of 9/11 and the artifacts housed in the museum.

The Tribute Mode provides a place were users can leave a message.

Librarians will find this to be a powerful virtual field trip for students and their teachers. Consider designing pre- and post- app experiences that encourage youth to ask questions, explore content, then debrief the experience.

To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/explore-9-11/id387986451.