Mayers, E. “The Klondike Gold Rush: Using Technology to Learn about History.” (2008)

An Alaskan cruise provided the inspiration to create a tailor-made unit about the Klondike Gold Rush of 1896. Author Edith Mayers demonstrates how technology can be judiciously used to glean appropriate information from internet sources, and how that information can be creatively displayed. The author shows how integrating technology into lessons can challenge students to apply computer skills and critical reading skills in meaningful ways. The goal of the unit was to show how the Gold Rush was a significant era in both Canadian and United States history, focussing particularly on the lives of individuals and families. The unit was designed to address specific strands of social studies: time, community and change, and people, places and environments. Although this unit was used with fifth graders, it would be easily adaptable for use with any grade level.