The Digital Archive of Human-Induced Landscape Change is an initiative open to Vermont K-16 schools to document two centuries of landscape change while exploring regional geology, anthropogenic impacts, and various forms of computer technology. The website houses a statewide database of historical/modern image pairs with text describing the historical context. This collection is continually expanding. The database is searchable by location - town, county, and school - and also by geomorphic process responsible for landscape changes - landslide, flood, deforestation, etc. Works in progress include virtual tours of Vermont's cultural and geologic history and tutorials on using the technologies that produce the digital archive. This work with teachers and K-16 students provides interdisciplinary opportunities to explore earth science, environmental science, historical research, geographic studies, creative writing, and the scientific method. Two pilot classrooms participated in the spring of 2000 and supplied data from over 30 locations in 8 Vermont towns. Historical photographs were collected from as early as 1850s and as late as 1998, and interviews, libraries, and historical societies were used by students to determine the ages and locations of the historical photos. Geo-referencing of each site required students to use a Global Positioning System (GPS) and learn the concept of latitude and longitude. Students used a digital camera to record the modern images on disk. Students were introduced to word-processing and image manipulation as they produced paper poster presentations of their findings. Students also provided digital images and text files that were published as an individual page in this web database. Complete project instructions and contact information are available for teachers and students. Links are provided to related sites with topographic maps and aerial photography sources, historical societies, the University of Vermont, and other educational sites.
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