Terra Nova Inniative

• Overview
• The First Wave
• The Second Wave
• Related Sites

Overview of the Terra Nova Initiative, 1994-1999
Note: the Terra Nova Initiative is now closed. If you wish to apply for funding for a multimedia project, please consult the Canadian Studies Information and Application Guide

The Terra Nova Initiative is concerned with aiding the creation of - and making available- high quality, Canadian CD-ROMs and multimedia productions. The Terra Nova Initiative is a partnership program which brings together innovators in software development and innovators in the uses of multimedia. It is a partnership that harmonizes excellence in production with excellence in interpretive approaches to using content for multimedia.

The First Wave of the Terra Nova Initiative

About Canada

• A series of print-based publications on selected topics and subjects relevant to Canadian Studies have been adapted for release on the Internet, including links to other related sites. Find the About Canada series here.
  
  
• Target audience: students, general public, and library use.
  
  
• Created in partnership with the Center for Canadian Studies, Mount Allison University, and the Terra Nova Initiative.

Canadian Treasures

• An interactive CD-ROM designed to bring the characters, the stories and the issues of Canadian history alive.
  
  
• Target audiences: students, 8 - 15 years olds
  
  
• Created in partnership with Virtual Reality Systems of Vancouver, the National Archives of Canada and the Terra Nova Initiative.
  
  
• Canadian Treasures can be ordered from Ingenuity Works. Call toll free: 1-800-665-0667 (US and Canada). Visit the Ingenuity Works web site at: http://www.vrsystems.com.
  
  
• Finalist for "Best K-12 Educational Multimedia Product" at the 1997 International Digital Media Awards.

Making History: Louis Riel and the North West Rebelion of 1885

• The first in a series of interactive CD-ROMs designed to allow students to explore a wide range of different historical interpretations concerning Canadian events and characters.
  
  
• Intended for high school, college and university students
  
  
• Created in partnership with Monro Multimedia of Vancouver, The National Film Board and the Terra Nova Initiative.
  
  
• Making History can be ordered directly from the National Film Board. Call toll free: 1-800-267-7710. Visit the National Film Board web site at http://www.nfb.ca.
  
  
• Winner of "Best Interface Design" at the 1997 International Digital Media Awards.
  
  
• Finalist for "Best K-12 Educational Multimedia Product" at the 1997 International Digital Media Awards.

The Great Canadian Adventure

• English and French CD-ROM versions of the popular board-game: The Great Canadian Adventure.
  
  
• Produced in partnership with Micro-Intel / Musée Média of Montreal, the Ceremonial and Canadian Symbols Promotion Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Terra Nova Initiative.
  
  
• The Great Canadian Adventure can be ordered from Micro-Intel. To order, call their toll free number at 1-800-530-8789. Visit the CogniScience Web site at: www.cogniscienceinc.com.
  
  
• Finalist in the "CD-ROM d'OR: Publication scolaire ou de formation" at the 1997 M.I.M. held in Montreal.

Citizenship Education

• One interactive CD-ROM on Citizenship
  
  
• Target audience: Grades 8 - 12
  
  
• Created in partnership with the Terra Nova Initiative, Monro Multimedia of Vancouver, The National Film Board, The Department of Citizenship and Immigration, The Department of Justice, and the Human Rights and Multiculturalism Directorates of the Department of Canadian Heritage.
  
  
• Projected launch date: 1999

The Second Wave

The Terra Nova Initiative is developing projects with a number of private and public sector partners. They will constitute the second wave of projects to be completed.

Exploring and Communicating: Connecting Canadians

• A CD-ROM-web site hybrid
  
  
• Target Audience: high school and general public
  
  
• Created in partnership with DNA Productions Inc. of Vancouver and the Terra Nova Initiative.
  
  
• Projected launch date: 1999 (both French and English versions)
  
  
• This CD-ROM / Internet hybrid will examine the key role of geography, politics, culture and economics on Canadian communications and the influence of exploration and communications in nation building. It will recognize and celebrate the unique ways in which Canada is a country build along trade routes, and how the flow of goods, culture and ideas have shaped the character of the nation.

About Canada / Multimedia Annotated Bibliographies

• Building on the successful series of print-based publications which were adapted by Terra Nova for release on the world wide web, including links to other related sites.
  
  
• Target audience: students, general public, and library use
  
  
• Coordinated by the Centre for Canadian Studies, Mount Allison University, and done in partnership with Canadian Studies program across Canada as well as the Terra Nova Initiative.
  
  
• The Multimedia select bibliographies will focus on a variety of topics including the History of Technology and Communications in Canada, Place names in Canada and Great Debates in Canadian History. Each bibliography will draw on a wide range of sources in both official languages, and will couple them with informed commentary that will make it an invaluable tool for students and researchers.

• An interactive CD-ROM designed to provide a comprehensive overview of post-Confederation Canadian history.
  
  
• Partnership between Chinook Multimedia, the University of Alberta and the Terra Nova Initiative.
  
  
• Target audience: Colleges, universities, with versions for the general public and high school use.
  
  
• Projected launch date: 1999 (French and English versions)
  
  
• This is the first truly comprehensive multimedia history of Canada, drawing on the work of some of Canada's finest historians and scholars in both French and English Canada. The project boasts the most formidable and representative Canadian History editorial board ever assembled for a Canadian History project, and will examine all aspects of history (political, economic, social, labour, women's). To be followed by a project on pre-Confederation history.

• A CD-ROM looking at Canada's leading role and achievements in the field of paleontology.
  
  
• Target audience: intermediate and high schools.
  
  
• Created in partnership with Tohaventa Holdings Inc. of Edmonton, the Royal Tyrell Museum and the Terra Nova Initiative.
  
  
• Projected launch date: 1999
  
  
• By bringing to light some of Canada's physical treasures such as the Badlands of Alberta, coupled with the various Canadian artifacts in the Royal Tyrell Museum, this project will make young Canadians more aware of Canada's leadership in the crucial fields of science related to paleontology, biology and geology.

• A CD-ROM / Internet hybrid which is under development
  
  
• Consultations have been held with the Canadian Permanent Committee on Geographic Names, Natural Resources Canada and the National Archives, as well as experts in the field.
  
  
• Target audience: high schools students and the general public
  
  
• Projected launch date: 2000 (bilingual)
  
  
• This project has been conceived and is being developed by the Terra Nova Initiative. It is currently in production.
  
  
• "Naming Canada" will teach young people the history of Canada through the stories of how communities were named. By exploring the country province-by-province, territory-by-territory, or using a chronological approach, young people will get a better idea of Canadian diversity, history and geography.

Related Sites

An asterisk (*) denotes a bilingual site

Canadian Education on the Web

• An extensive list of links to everything regarding nation-wide education.

• A vast list of educational links to conferences, schools, products, and resources.

• Information on Canadian education, with links to sites about technology in education.
• Renseignements sur l'éducation canadienne et une liste de sites connexes.

• Links and information on educational software, especially aimed at teachers.

• Lieu d'échange et de ressources francophones pour les professeurs.

• An extensive list of Canadian multimedia organizations, companies, and networks.

• Extensive pointers to online resources for students and teachers.

• An extensive site with everything related to Canadian education, including many links. 

• Canadian and provincial networking resources related to K-12 education.

• A large network of information for improving student achievements through technology.