The USCIS has launched a new online learning tool, Preparing for the Oath: US History and Civics for Citizenship, along with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. This online learning tool has been created to help ambitious citizens to prepare for the Naturalization test. This tool which is web-based will help the immigrants to prepare for the civics component of the Naturalization test.
Preparing for the Oath is an interactive resource. It consists of videos and multimedia activities that shows the artifacts from the collections and exhibitions of the Smithsonian Institution. This tool is prepared as an additional material towards citizenship preparation. According to the USCIS Director, Alejandro Mayorkas, this online tool which uses the extensive collections of the Smithsonian Institution will help the immigrants to learn about the origination and principles of the democracy of the United States. It will also help them to learn, in a meaningful way, about the rights and responsibilities of US citizenship.
Preparing for the Oath: U.S. History and Civics for Citizenship, is designed as a self-study tool. It will help the immigrants to prepare for the civics test which is a part of the Naturalization process. The civics component of the Naturalization test consists of 100 questions and answers and this tool is based on these 100 questions, from which questions are asked while the USCIS administers the test.
This tool consists of different themes. These themes are related to the history, government and the law of the United States. It also consists of a short video and a self-test related to the content of each civics question. The civics questions accompany interactive learning activities. Most of the questions prompt the uses to look into the artifacts from the collections of the Smithsonian collection. This tool also has materials for the teachers. It consists of strategies which may help the teachers to use Preparing for the Oath, in a classroom.
The USCIS launched this tool during the special Naturalization ceremony held at the National Museum of American History. It had received few remarks from Dr. Madeleine K. Albright, the former Secretary of State. During the Naturalization ceremony, 12 new citizens were administered the Oath of Allegiance, by Alejandro Mayorkas, the Director of USCIS. The 12 new US citizens also include 3 members from the American Armed Forces.
The strong partnership between the USCIS and the Smithsonian Institution is a highlight of this Naturalization ceremony. USCIS had worked together with the Smithsonian Institution for the past 4 years in order to provide the immigrants and the public with a better knowledge about the American history and the Naturalization process.