It is known that oral history studies have a positive effect on students' learning, skills, attitudes, and motivations. In this direction, it has an important place in the context of student-centered constructivist practices in teaching different subjects in social studies courses. Social studies teachers should have sufficient knowledge and…

Oral history research projects are assignments that can foster student engagement and learning in undergraduate survey history courses. However, existing scholarship indicates that these assignments are seldom used in undergraduate survey courses. Since the aims of undergraduate survey history courses are to satisfy graduation requirements, foster…

Oral histories are a powerful pedagogical tool in developing historical understanding and important learning skills simultaneously. Teachers use firsthand accounts of historical time periods and/or events to help develop students' sense of history. In addition to gaining historical understanding, students are able to bring history alive by…

Recent studies advocate careful selection of local historic sites and recommend collaboration between stakeholders to create meaningful learning experiences for students. The author describes the efforts of a historical society, a university professor, and a local school district to develop an integrative field trip to a one-room schoolhouse.…

Social studies teacher educators highlight the importance of oral stories and histories in the social studies classroom, leading social studies learners to seek multiple perspectives and encourage historical thinking in the classroom. However, preservice teachers are given few opportunities to internalize this idea. In this article, the author…

When guiding students in oral history projects, teachers should consider possible subjects, materials needed, questions and practice interviewing, contacting and interviewing, and transcribing and reporting. Each of these areas is discussed. (RM)

Oral history was used extensively in writing a history of the Missouri School of Mines, now the University of Missouri-Rolla. The project is described. The process used in selecting candidates for interviews and the interview techniques are discussed. (RM)

Presents a transcript of an interview with the director of an oral history project and with one high school student involved in the project. Focuses on how the project was conceived, negotiated, and produced within the constraints of a public school. (Author/AV)

Discusses methods for increasing students' appreciation of and interest in history by incorporating the human element into the narrative. Suggests that this can be accomplished by utilizing diaries, journals, oral histories, and living people. Argues that the brief coverage of events presented in texts does little to give students a feeling of the…

Offers a rationale for oral history projects and details procedures for documenting oral histories. The oral history project involves students in field work in their own communities and develops interpersonal and academic skills. Procedures include locating a suitable memoirist, conducting the initial interview, tape analysis and follow-up…

Evaluates the importance of oral history in the social studies classroom. Concludes that oral history makes history more human and meaningful in everyday life and that it helps students gain insights into their heritage. Tips are offered on comparing life styles among generations; using songs, legends, and myths in the classroom; and analyzing…

Reviews a teaching unit about women and immigration. Discusses photohistory and oral interviewing as research methods. Objectives for the unit include: (1) involving students by researching women in their families; (2) providing an overview of women's migration; (3) and familiarizing students with the recent wave of third-world female immigration.…

Chronicles the growth of oral history since 1948 and describes several classroom projects using the oral/aural technique. Projects focus on oral war accounts, an oral history of local businesses, and oral validity in history. (Author/DB)

The need to broaden the instructional and research concept of oral history to include popular music is suggested. A study of the music and life of Les McCann and a selected discography are provided. (Author/DB)

For historians and nonhistorians, reflecting on the past century is an enticing activity. To many present-day historians, who are just barely into the twenty-first century, the past century already seems remote. It will definitely be perceived that way by students in elementary classrooms. Nonetheless, today's teachers have endless opportunities…