June 29, 2009. Project Vietnam, the educational component of a partnership among the Columbia Center for New Media Teaching and Learning (CCNMTL), WGBH Media Library and Archives, and the University of Massachusetts-Boston, launched its Vietnam War film archive and accompanying analysis tools in a week-long intensive course at Teachers College today.

Vietnam: A Television Archive is the result of the Project’s initiative to digitize, preserve, and disseminate primary source materials from the landmark 1983 documentary, Vietnam: A Television History, co-produced by WGBH. The online archive offers students unique access to hundreds of hours of original interviews and stock footage from the 13-hour series, which closely examines the causes and consequences of the Vietnam War. CCNMTL has also developed custom analysis tools that integrate the archive in online workspaces where students can view, annotate, edit, and incorporate clips into multimedia projects.

Drs. Margaret Crocco and Bill Gaudelli, Teachers College professors of social studies and social studies and education, respectively, will use the Vietnam: A Television Archive and analysis tools in the course, Vietnam Now!. Participating students will explore how multimedia can be used to enhance teaching of the War by examining primary source materials from the series and identifying topics for lesson plans. CCNMTL staff will be on hand to assist the students and to film lectures by guest faculty, including noted 1960s cultural historian Todd Gitlin.

With funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, WGBH Media Library and Archives (MLA)—a department within WGBH that manages and provides access to historical content produced by the Boston-based public television station—has reconstructed and digitized materials for use in Project Vietnam. “We are thrilled that Columbia University will utilize this digital library from our Vietnam series. This collaboration marks an on-going effort to unlock the WGBH archive for educational use,” said MLA Director Karen Cariani.

CCNMTL continues to partner with Teachers College and Columbia University faculty members interested in using the Project Vietnam archive and tools in varying ways. In 2011, Project Vietnam partners will host a consortium conference to showcase exemplary uses of the digital collection.

"Project Vietnam represents new opportunities for students and faculty to further the exploration and education of the Vietnam War using previously inaccessible resources. After 18 months in the making, we are excited to see the educational deployment of the project this week,” said CCNMTL Executive Director Frank Moretti.

Related links:
Download the press release (PDF)
Read more about Project Vietnam