Library of Congress Launches Educational Apps for Primary Source Investigations

DBQuest and Case Maker are designed to help students engage with the Library of Congress' extensive catalog of primary resources.

Library of Congress has released two educational apps to teach students about Congress and civics.  The apps are funded through a Library of Congress grant through the Teaching with Primary Resources program, which provides classroom development and professional development to help teachers use the primary resources in the Library's catalog.

  • DBQuest, developed by iCivics, enables teachers to educate students on history and civics through primary-based documents and evidence-based learning. The multi-platform app teaches students how to identify evidence, contextualize information and write supportive arguments.
  • Case Maker, developed by Bean Creative, is a customizable system for inquiry-based learning for students using primary sources from the Library of Congress. The app guides students on how to challenge a question, collect evidence and make a case under a framework developed by the Teaching with Primary Resources program.

Each of these projects are designed to take different approaches to the primary sources that are provided for free through the Library of Congress website. The Library of Congress also released three other apps — Eagle Eye Citizen, Engaging Congress and Kid Citizen — through the program in 2016.

"Together, these new applications are a valuable addition to the suite of civics-related tools that our partners have developed," said Lee Ann Potter, director of the Educational Outreach division at the Library of Congress in a Sept. 7 announcement. "The ability to weigh evidence and build a sound argument is crucial to informed civic participation, and we are happy to see the effective and engaging ways in which the interactives use primary source documents to build these vital skills."

About the Author

Sara Friedman is a reporter/producer for Campus Technology, THE Journal and STEAM Universe covering education policy and a wide range of other public-sector IT topics.

Friedman is a graduate of Ithaca College, where she studied journalism, politics and international communications.

Friedman can be contacted at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @SaraEFriedman.

Click here for previous articles by Friedman.


Featured

  • laptop and fish hook

    Security Researchers Identify Generative AI 'Vishing' Attack

    A new report from researchers at Ontinue's Cyber Defense Center has identified a complex, multi-stage cyber attack that leveraged social engineering, remote access tools, and signed binaries to infiltrate and persist within a target network.

  • AI microchip, a cybersecurity shield with a lock, a dollar coin, and a laptop with financial graphs connected by dotted lines

    AWS Survey: Generative AI Surpasses Cybersecurity in 2025 Tech Budgets

    Global IT leaders are planning to spend more on generative artificial intelligence than cybersecurity in 2025, according to new research by Amazon Web Services (AWS).

  • computer science classroom featuring a desktop setup with code on the screen, a large wall display with charts, and a labeled book on a clean desk

    McGraw Hill Expands CTE Offerings

    Education company McGraw Hill has announced a host of new career and technical education courses, designed to help learners gain professional, technical, and academic skills for workforce success.

  • Stylized illustration showing cybersecurity elements like shields, padlocks, and secure cloud icons on a neutral, minimalist digital background

    Microsoft Announces Host of Security Advancements

    Microsoft has announced major cybersecurity advancements across its product portfolio and practices. The work is part of its Secure Future Initiative (SFI), a multiyear cybersecurity transformation the company calls the largest engineering project in company history.