UR's New American History Project Recognized As Top Digital Teaching and Learning Tool

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND — The American Association of School Librarians has named University of Richmond’s New American History project one of the “Best Digital Tools for Teaching & Learning” for 2021. The annual national recognition honors electronic resources that provide enhanced learning and curriculum development for school librarians and their educator collaborators. 

New American History is an interactive tool that explores America’s past, harnessing the power of digital media, curiosity, and inquiry. Its core projects are Bunk, a curated remix of contemporary online content, which University of Richmond students have helped build over the last few years, and American Panorama, an interactive digital atlas out of UR’s Digital Scholarship Lab. Ed Ayers, University of Richmond professor of the humanities and president emeritus, serves as executive director.

“New American History is for everyone, from those who know little about the nation’s history to those already immersed in its endless complexities,” said Annie Evans, director of education and outreach. “This tool is especially useful for K-12 teachers as they seek to educate our nation’s youth on the untold stories and missing pieces of what we know or thought we already knew about America’s past.”

“Like everything else this year, the committee's work was influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mary Morgan Ryan, chair of the committee that selected the recipients. “The digital tools honored in 2021 demonstrate how education has stepped up to support remote and blended learning environments. They provide high-quality resources for many content areas and engaging learning activities. In developing the list, the committee also focused on equity and access.”

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