Overview

Welcome to A History Teacher.com.  I have had some sort of web site for myself or my classes since I began my student teaching in 1995.  About four years ago I bought this domain, started a blog, and expanded my web presence.  The current version site officially moves me out the html programming realm for good and into Joomla, a content management system.  As much as I have loved web design, it feels like when I sold my old film SLR camera and left the darkroom for good.  I look back at it fondly, but also feel incredibly liberated.

This site serves the purpose of providing my students access to materials needed for class and as a resource for other teachers who wish to integrate technology tools into their curriculum.  I also use this as an online portfolio for potential clients for workshops and curriculum development.  There might also be a little self-glorification involved, but I don't know.

Use the menu across the top of the page to navigate the site.  If you have any questions, please e-mail me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Take care and good luck!

Dan

Biography

Professionally...

Currently I teach Advanced Placement and College Prep World History at West Hills High School in San Diego. Other classes I've taught include United States History, Applied Arts World History, Humanities, Journalism, Geography, and Technology Fundamentals. I have also published my world history curriculum through Teaching-Point, a small educational company in Florida. It is available for purchase at the Teaching-Point web site. This past summer I develped materials for a PBS documentary on Andrew Jackson.

In addition to teaching students, I have been able to spend time teaching teachers how to utilize and integrate technology in their classrooms. It all started the summer after I completed my teaching credential, I was hired by SDSU professor Bernie Dodge to created example web-based activities and assist teachers develop their own WebQuests through the San Diego City Schools Triton/Patterns Projects. I ended up working the next five summers for Bernie, creating curriculum, leading sections of the summer workshops, and helping tie up loose ends. That has lead me to numerous other staff development opportunities that I've listed in the Workshops section of this site.

I also seem to spend a considerable amount of time sitting in front of my MacBook Pro (had to get that in there) creating web pages or developing curriculum for my history classes, PBS, workshops, friends, and various educational organizations. You can explore this site to see examples of this work.

I have called San Diego home for most of my life. I spent time at both of the major public universities in town, UCSD and SDSU. Academically, I have been drawn to the study of history. This interest has been responsible for bringing me into the field of education; there can be so much taken and learned from history when presented in the right light. To understand our history, and the history of others, is to better understand ourselves and those with whom we interact. During my time in college I worked as a photojournalist at the UCSD Guardian, the SDSU Daily Aztec, the North-County Blade Citizen, and the East County Daily Californian. This experience gave me a taste of the media and let me see into the high, low, and ordinary moments of people's lives in the communities of San Diego County. A couple of highlights included shaking President Clinton's hand and taking pictures of the my favorite band, U2, on their Z00 TV Tour. To check out some of my photographs from my photojournalism days.

My favorite pastime is spending time with my wife and children. When I am not chasing my children around, I am probably taking pictures (with my new Nikon D70!) of them or catching up on some sleep! It also seems like my house has also become a primary hobby - both inside and out. I also enjoy traveling, spending time outside, and reading.

Resume

Dan McDowell

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://www.ahistoryteacher.com

Highlights of Qualifications

Classroom Experience

Social Studies Teacher (1996 – present)

West Hills High School, Santee, CA

Lecturer (2006 – 2007)

San Diego State University, Department of Educational Technology

Consulting Experience

Technology Integration Specialist and Presenter (1996 – present)

Prepare and present workshops that focus on utilizing computers in the K12 classroom.  Recent presentations:

PBS Education and Curriculum Consultant (2007 – present)

PBS Teachers Advisory Board Member (2006 – present)

Instructional Designer (2000 – present)

Web Designer (1998 – present)

• Design and create educational and commercial web sites and customize open source content management systems.

Publications

Awards, Grants, and Affiliations

Education

• M.A., San Diego State University, Educational Technology, 2006.
• Single Subject Teaching Credential, San Diego State University, Social Studies, 1996.
• B.A., University of California, San Diego. United States History, Minor in Visual Arts/Photography, 1994.