IU Center on Congress launches 'Congressional Moments' app
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- A new, free app for the iPad tablet makes the case that our lives are profoundly shaped by the actions of the U.S. Congress.
The “Congressional Moments” app, an Indiana University Center on Congress resource that is funded by the Library of Congress Teaching With Primary Sources program, offers an interactive tour of landmark congressional accomplishments in six areas: child labor laws, civil rights legislation, women’s suffrage, the Marshall Plan, the National Park Service and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The app and its Web version earned “New and Noteworthy” billing in the iTunes store when it debuted. It incorporates a wide array of photographs and other primary source images from the Library of Congress’ vast collection.
In the app, two leading National Council for the Social Studies teachers explain how to get the most out of primary sources, and there’s an interactive quiz to help students learn about the difference between primary and secondary sources. A key goal of the app is to get students to look at information with a critical eye and be aware that even primary sources are not always completely accurate and trustworthy.
Though developed primarily for the classroom, the app also is of interest to the general public.
“Congressional Moments” is the second app released by the Center on Congress through the Teaching With Primary Sources program, joining "Civic Quotes," which uses notable quotations from a variety of U.S. political leaders, as well as primary-source images, to teach about representative democracy; the role and impact of government; the democratic process and compromise; and citizen participation.
“With both these apps, we aim to help teachers, students and citizens use the latest technology to make civics learning interesting and relevant,” Center on Congress Director Lee Hamilton said.
Content featured in partnership with the Library of Congress Teaching With Primary Sources program does not indicate an endorsement by the library of all or any additional content provided by the partner organization.
About the Center on Congress
The Center on Congress is a nonpartisan educational institution established in 1999 to help improve the public's knowledge of Congress and to encourage civic engagement. The Center developed out of Lee Hamilton's recognition during his 34 years in the U.S. House that Americans should be more familiar with Congress’ strengths and weaknesses, its role in our system of government, and its impact on the lives of ordinary people every day.
The center offers an extensive array of civic education programs, projects and resources to foster an informed electorate that understands our system of government and participates in civic life. These include: Web-based, interactive modules and other online learning tools in English and Spanish; print publications; commentaries for newspapers; video and television in the classroom resources; survey research; teacher awards; and seminars, conferences and a lecture series.
The Center on Congress is supported in part by the Office of the Vice Provost for Research at IU Bloomington.
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Media Contacts
Wayne Vance
- The Center on Congress at Indiana University
- Office 812-856-4706
- wvance@indiana.edu