Seventy percent of the photos taken during the war were shot in 3D so they could be viewed in a device called a stereoscope. “And that’s something that blows most students’ minds,” Koik said.

[by CECELIA MASON  West Virginia Public Broadcasting]

There’s renewed interest in the Civil War this year as the country marks the 150th anniversary, and an organization that preserves battlefields is offering a new curriculum designed to show the importance of preserving this slice of American history.

Since it began in 1987, the Civil War Trust has helped preserve more than 30,000 acres at 110 battlefields in 20 states, and the trust hopes to continue its work by offering teachers a two-week curriculum on the war.

“We’re really creating the next generation of historians,” said Mary Koik, deputy communications director. “We’re creating the next generation of history teachers and preservationists and people that are going to safeguard these places that our generation has worked to protect.”

Moorefield High School English teacher Jeremy Simmons plans to use some of the curriculum in a few weeks when his 11th-grade students read literature from the Civil War era.

“Just to let them know what’s going on, what issues are involved, why did these authors like Mary Chestnut, Frederick Douglas, Abe Lincoln, Steven Crane, Walt Whitman, what was going on in their lives that would make them write the things that they write,” Simmons said.

Simmons has been interested in the War since he was a child. He said learning more about the time period not only helps his students analyze the literature they’re reading, but it also helps them learn more about history.

“I’ve always said that the best way to study history is through the literature that was written during that time,” Simmons said. “It focuses less on dates and battles and things like that but more toward what the real people were really thinking and what was going on in society, the thoughts and actions of specific people and cultures.”

Simmons said his students particularly enjoy seeing 3D images taken during the Civil War that are available on the trust’s web site. Seventy percent of the photos taken during the war were shot in 3D so they could be viewed in a device called a stereoscope.

“And that’s something that blows most students’ minds,” Koik said. “They went and they saw ‘Avatar’ and they thought that was amazing. Well, in the 1860s, that’s how these pictures were designed to be viewed.”

Koik said the trust has been working with the Center for Civil War Photography to make the 3D pictures available online as slide shows.

“And we work with teachers to help them get 3D glasses so they can show these kids how sometimes the past isn’t all that different from the present,” Koik said.

The curriculum offers two weeks’ worth of lessons for students in elementary, middle and high school. It’s available online or schools can purchase a hard copy from the Civil War Trust.

see the original post here: http://www.greenfieldreporter.com/view/story/d8af59ad335f49bb97101e70b819ae06/WV–Civil-War-Education/

Samsung Electronics America Inc., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, today announced new promotions that will make the 3D experience in the home more affordable than ever for consumers. Beginning April 24, Samsung will provide two pairs of 3D active glasses for its entire 3D TV lineup at no additional cost with the purchase of any Samsung 3D LED TV or 3D Plasma TV.

Also beginning May 1, 2011, Samsung’s 2011 3D active glasses (SSG-3100GB) will be available at retail for under $50.

With the new promotions and price reductions, 3D TV customers can now outfit a family of four with 3D active glasses for under $100. The SSG-3100GB model does not require charging and will provide up to 70 hours of use from the included replaceable battery.

Customers purchasing the D7000 and above 3D LED TVs or the D6500 and above 3D Plasma TVs will continue to receive Samsung’s 3D Starter Kit (SSG-3100M). The kit includes two pairs of 3D active glasses, promotional versions of DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc.’s (Nasdaq: DWA) complete Shrek collection on 3D Blu-ray and a voucher for Megamind 3D on Blu-ray. Customers already receiving this starter kit with a step-up TV model will not be eligible for the new promotion.

Samsung’s 3D Active technology delivers a no-compromise 3D experience. Unlike other approaches to 3D, Active 3D Technology delivers 2x the resolution for an immersive, Full HD image (1080p picture for each eye), a wider viewing angle and no black lines interfering with the picture.

“We are excited to make it even more affordable for the entire family to enjoy Samsung’s lifelike 3D experience,” said John Revie, senior vice president of Home Entertainment, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. “Reaching new audiences with the wonder of Samsung’s Full HD 3D is key to driving continued adoption of 3D in the home.”

Samsung’s 2011 3D active glasses deliver superior image quality and vivid, realistic 3D imagery. Samsung’s complete line of 3D glasses (including the stylish and incredibly light glasses designed by Silhouette) will also soon be price-adjusted.

For more information on Samsung’s full line of 3D glasses and TV accessories, please visit http://www.samsungusanews.com/.

See the original press release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110406006216/en/Samsung-Home-3D-Experience-Affordable