This production will hold student interest because it is short but rich in content.  The host is an award-winning social studies teacher with an engaging personal style that comes across well on screen.  The program brings the Erie Canal's sights and sounds alive, and examines other interesting canals of the early 1800s as well.  The second half of this 15 minute tape looks at the development of steamboats.  This is one of the better programs in a series called America Past, but is also available as a single tape for $59.00. 

   Available from the Agency for Instructional Technology by calling 1-800-457-4509, or on-line at:

http://www.ait.net/catalog/default.php?cPath=8_265