#42 Exploring WWII History in Real Time with Maddie Roach

In this episode of Why Distance Learning, hosts Seth Fleischauer, Allyson Mitchell, and Tami Moehring welcome Maddie Roach, the Distance Learning Specialist at the National World War II Museum. Maddie shares her experiences building engaging virtual programs that connect learners to history in unique ways, discusses how the museum adapted post-Katrina, and explores how distance learning makes education accessible across the globe.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Maddie's journey from museum volunteer to distance learning specialist.
• The development of digital exhibits and synchronous virtual field trips.
• Operation Foot Locker, a program that ships World War II artifacts to classrooms.
• The museum’s mission to preserve history and teach lessons of tolerance.
• Golden moments when students connect personally with history, including stories from underrepresented groups.
• The importance of balancing synchronous and asynchronous learning experiences.

In-depth insights for educators:
Maddie explains how distance learning bridges physical gaps and brings the museum to students worldwide. She discusses how their programs meet the needs of diverse audiences, from K-12 classrooms to lifelong learners, and shares strategies to create meaningful connections through primary sources and oral histories.

Call to Action:
Tune in to this episode to discover how Maddie and her team use technology to make history come alive. Learn how virtual programs like Operation Foot Locker and interactive webinars are transforming history education. Check the show notes for links to the National World War II Museum’s virtual offerings and explore how to bring these experiences into your classroom.

About today’s guest:
Maddie Roach is the Distance Learning Specialist at the National World War II Museum. With a background in history and public history from the University of New Orleans, Maddie blends her love of technology and education to develop engaging, meaningful virtual programs for learners around the world.

See the museum's promo video, featuring Maddie and mentioned in the episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QBMSd7fLxs

Host Links:

1. Discover more virtual learning opportunities at CILC.org with Tami Moehring and Allyson Mitchell.
2. Seth Fleischauer’s Banyan Global Learning has performed over 40k live virtual teaching periods while improving students' language, digital, and cultural competencies.