Fostering Historical Thinking With Digitized Primary Sources

This paper describes an ongoing initiative to enhance learner digital literacies by fostering historical thinking with digitized primary sources. The initiative is creating a set of learning materials which will support the... [ view full abstract ]

This paper describes an ongoing initiative to enhance learner digital literacies by fostering historical thinking with digitized primary sources. The initiative is creating a set of learning materials which will support the use of online primary sources and enhance the student online learning experience. These learning materials will support flexible/off-campus learners development of research skills in the six BA in Humanities (online) History modules. The learning materials are comprised of:
An interactive guide to online primary sources- Using an Articulate Learning Object
An accompanying social bookmarking webpage
A supporting video explaining how to use those resources- which will encourage student visualisation of key concepts (Henderson et al, 2015)
An online tutorial to practise finding, evaluating and using online primary sources- Using an Articulate Learning Object
History is the study and interpretation of the past, and engaging with primary sources is central to the development of authentic critical historical thinking. (Wineburg, 1999) Since the 1970s, millions of primary sources have been digitised by libraries and archives which has created a wealth of rich content for historians and history students. However the sheer scale of sources material, websites and questions about source quality make it a challenging research environment for history students. (Tally & Goldenberg, 2005) Based on current tutor and student feedback, additional supports which would support student research skills would be welcomed.

References:

Henderson, M., Selwyn, N. & Aston, R. (2015) ‘What works and why? Student perceptions of “useful” digital technology in university teaching and learning’, Studies in Higher Education.

Tally, B. & Goldenberg, L.B. (2005) Fostering Historical Thinking With Digitized Primary Sources, Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 38:1, 1-21.

Wineburg, S.(1999). Historical Thinking and Other Unnatural Acts. The Phi Delta Kappan, 80(7), 488–499.