How do YOU define freedom? Through exploration of veterans’ stories, students from up to eight high schools will compile original multimedia productions that answer this question.

This unique, collaborative project provides an authentic venue for students to explore the concept of freedom through oral history. Teachers involved in the program will participate in an innovative professional development session created by the Library of Congress, which will help them focus their students’ questions and research as they gather veterans’ stories from their own community. Following the professional development videoconference, teachers and students will work together to profile one or more veterans from their community in a 3-5 minute multimedia production that explores the question: What does freedom mean to YOU?

The month-long project wraps with a live, interactive videoconference where students from each school will have an opportunity to share their 3-5 minute video projects and virtually meet the veterans that inspired them.

Project Dates

• Teacher Professional Development Event: Monday, November 8th from 3-5 PM
• Student Collaborative Oral History Project Work: November 9th - December 4th
• Deadline to Upload Video Project: December 5th
• Videoconference Dress Rehearsal: Date/Time TBD
• What Does Freedom Mean to You LIVE Videoconference and Webcast: December 10th from 10-11 AM

Required Teacher Professional Development, November 8, 2010

During this interactive videoconference, teachers will work with the project coordinators to understand the components of the student multimedia project, and also with representatives from the Library of Congress to gain tips for conducting oral history interviews. Before this program, teachers should review the materials listed under RESOURCES and prepare questions about the project.

Student Collaborative Oral History Project

Teacher lesson plan coming soon! As part of this multimedia project, teachers and students will interview a veteran in their community about the topic of freedom. Students will then compile a multimedia production that answers the question: What does freedom mean to YOU? Projects should be 3-5 minutes in length, and need to be uploaded by December 5, 2010. Instructions for uploading will be sent directly to participating teachers.

What does Freedom Mean to YOU Live Videoconference and Webcast, December 10, 2010

Students from all participating schools will have an opportunity to share their multimedia projects and virtually 'meet' the veterans that inspired them during this multisite interactive event.

Webstream Information

The webstream for the December 10th event can be found on the eTech Ohio Website! Be sure to click on the "What Does Freedom" program link. And share the link with your friends, colleagues and family members!

Anyone watching the link will be asked to submit their questions via Poll Everywhere:

• Location Poll: Watching the webstream? Submit the name of your school (if applicable), city and state to this website or or text 47884 and your message to 37607.
• General Questions? Submit them via the web or text 48105 and your message to 37607.
• What does Freedom Mean to YOU? Tell us what freedom means to you! Submit your answers to this website or text 48847 and your response to 37607.