August 24, 2025
I’m delighted to be presenting at the Annual National Council for the Social Studies Conference in Washington D.C. December 2025. The theme of this year's conference is "because democracy depends on it," which inspired my proposal, "Design for Democracy: Incorporating Student Voice by Animating Primary Sources."
About the "Design for Democracy" Presentation:
I applied to the NCSS Power Presentation category which is a quick 25 minutes. In that time frame I hope to showcase 20-25 Keynote animations, spending approximately 1 minute on each. Each Keynote animation will be created by simply remixing existing historic Library of Congress Posters and exporting them as animated GIFS.
The presentation is not a step-by-step guide but rather an idea spark that hopefully will encourage educators to provide students with the challenge to create simple yet impactful animation remixes of historic posters demonstrating knowledge of the past and using their "voice" in addressing current issues.
The over all goal is for participants to experience another way to merge art, technology and history. This "hands on" student engagement fosters curiosity, prompts questions, and encourages research. Student voice comes to play in the selection of the poster and the essential question they will pose to their classmates (or the world) that accompanies the simple revise of the historic poster.
Since not everyone in the audience will have an Apple device, my instructions are generalized for slide animations. Links to Apple specific how-tos are listed below.
As I work along to build this presentation I'll add approximately 2 animations a week up until the week of the Conference (replying to my own post). I hope you'll follow along with suggestions and ideas.
Animation #1 - Democracy ..a Challenge
Teaching Notes from the Teaching with Primary Sources Teachers Network:
Democracy .. a challenge was created by the Federal Art Project between 1936 and 1940. Students choosing this poster to study should carefully observe and research the image, to understand its themes and symbols. Next, they should design a simple slide animation that enhances the visual impact of the image. This animation should be concise and engaging, effectively conveying the message of the poster. Finally, students should propose an essential question that encourages meaningful discussions and critical thinking. (Example: “What are the challenges and aspirations of a democratic society?")
Apple Support instructions for any project animating with Keynote (iOS):
- Animate objects on a slide in Keynote on iPad
- Edit an image in Keynote on iPad
- Add and edit drawings in Keynote on iPad
- Change the order and timing of builds in Keynote on iPad
- Take a screenshot on iPad
- Use Markup on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
- Create an animated GIF in Keynote on iPad
Resource - Library of Congress Poster Collections:
August 25, 2025 .
English
I'll continue to add animations as replies to above post as I build my presentation. Please critique. Thanks!
Animation #2 - 140th flag day, 1777-1917
Teaching Notes from the Teaching with Primary Sources Teachers Network:
140th flag day, 1777-1917 The birthday of the stars and stripes, June 14th, 1917 was created in 1917 and is part of the World War I War Posters at the Library of Congress. Students choosing this poster to study should carefully observe and research the image, to understand its symbols. Next, they should design a simple slide animation that enhances the visual impact of the image. This animation should be concise and engaging, effectively conveying the message of the poster. Finally, students should propose an essential question that encourages meaningful discussions and critical thinking. (Example: “Why do symbols like the flag hold power, and how do they influence civic life?”)
Resource - Library of Congress Poster Collections:
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