7th Floor Media Creates Dynamic Web Site Devoted to Canadian History and Culture
VANCOUVER September 9, 2002
7th Floor Media has designed and developed histori.ca, the Historica Foundation's web site devoted to Canadian history and culture. The site provides access to a growing number of Historica's educational programs, as well as links to Canadian content on the Web. "We have created a dynamic site, driven by its rich collection of resources and content, as well as allowing for the active participation of both teachers and students," says Noni Maté, Co-Director of 7th Floor Media.
7th Floor Media at Simon Fraser University is Canada's leading educational and cultural new media group. As educational consultants for Historica, 7th Floor Media has made special contributions to the Teachers and Students sections of the site, including lesson plans and educational games and activities. "Their impeccable sense of design - as evidenced in every aspect of the www.histori.ca web site - is complemented by both their exceptional attention to detail and their educational expertise. They have consistently delivered first-class work for Historica," says George Goodwin, Historica's Managing Director.
The site contains several easy to use submission forms, where teachers can submit lesson plans to the site, and students can submit projects. Many of the student projects are the result of student participation in the largely successful Heritage Fairs Programme, which fosters an interest in history and heritage by encouraging students to explore themes or stories they are curious or passionate about. Featuring these projects on the site also contributes to Canada's historic record because students often delve into the histories of family members and communities that might not otherwise be examined.
The site is easy to navigate, and it includes a search function that is fully integrated with The Canadian Encyclopedia as well as the content on the site. For instance, searching for information on "World War I heroes" will produce articles from The Canadian Encyclopedia, lesson plans, and a Heritage Fair Project about a student's great-great uncle, George Mullin, who received the Victoria Cross for bravery.