Education
Chuck Estep was recognized for forming a partnership with the Monroe County Historical Museum to foster a better understanding of Monroe County’s rich and unique local history among students and teachers. Through virtual field trips (VFTs), made possible via Monroe County’s video distance learning technology, students are able to learn about history in a new and more engaging way.In his podcast (MP3, 27MB), Estep discusses how VFTs aren’t just videos, they are interactive programs that involve artifacts, reenactments, video vignettes and time-period clothing. One notable VFT focused on the War of 1812 and the Battle of the River Raisin. With the Monroe County Historical Museum, the program offered numerous sessions over a period of two weeks to students across the county. To date, more than 70 classes and nearly 2,300 students have been virtually transported to battle sites for a lesson in the region’s history.