How is the internet like the

library at alexandria?

Better thinking through History

Teaching historical inquiry

Eric Lampkin

overview

Problems history teachers face

a few possible remedies

What is historical inquiry?

How do we get students started?

Shall we “gather”…?

the classroom and beyond

The 3 r’s

Reluctance

Rote

recitation

The 3 e ’sEnrichment

Engagement

enlightenment

What is historical inquiry?

TO SIMPLIFY, IT CAN BE SEEN AS THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD APPLIED TO THE STUDY OF HISTORY.

START WITH A QUESTION, ISSUE, OR PROBLEM.

FORMULATE A HYPOTHESIS.

TEST THAT HYPOTHESIS. GATHER EVIDENCE WITH A FOCUS ON PRIMARY SOURCES . analyze the evidence. reexamine the hypothesis.

formulate a conclusion.

present the findings.

All about the jeffersons

How to get the students started

narrow the scope.

let them ask the big questions.

help them whittle the big questions down.

bring a friend.

A virtual peripatos begin by having the students suggest topics.

do an online search for these topics.

have the students pose questions about their topic.

do a search for answers to those questions.

guide students to safe, reliable sites.

emphasize scholarly writings over popular ones.

The “gather” model

Get an overview.

Ask a probing question.

Triangulate the data.

Hypothesize a tentative answer.

Explore and interpret the data.

Record and support your conclusions.

Lynne anderson-inman, phil kessinger

Places to go

www.edsitement.neh.gov

www.nps.gov

www.archives.gov

www.memory.loc.gov/ammem

The classroom and beyond

students become “producers” rather than just “consumers” of History.

the skills can transfer to other classes.

could lead to improved test scores.

equips students to become better, more

Informed, And more active citizens.