ERIC Number: EJ762419
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007
Pages: 5
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1068-3844
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
The Effects of Primary Sources and Field Trip Experience on the Knowledge Retention of Multicultural Content
Farmer, James; Knapp, Doug; Benton, Gregory M.
Multicultural Education, v14 n3 p27-31 Spr 2007
Although small in scope, this study attempted to analyze the impacts of primary sources and field trip experiences on multicultural education through first-hand narrative interviews, one year after the experience. In particular, it assessed the recollections of students who participated in a one-half-day field trip to George Washington Carver National Monument, a site devoted to a multicultural message. In an attempt to learn as much as possible related to long-term memories of multicultural content associated with the use of primary sources and field trips, the researchers utilized a qualitative approach. Past literature has supported the notion that interview techniques can be more effective than experimental methods for gaining a detailed picture of recall. Two major themes were identified relating to the long-term recollections of the students on the field trip at the George Washington Carver National Monument: (1) Recollections were influenced by occasions which incorporated action and involvement, and (2) content information was retained by all students participating in the study. The results support the usefulness of primary sources in an interactive field trip experience to promote multicultural content and tolerance. Within this study, in particular, the notion of compassionate tendencies toward George Washington Carver prompts a tremendous need for further inquiry into the long-term impacts of other field trips that attempt to convey multicultural messages.
Descriptors: Multicultural Education, Field Trips, Primary Sources, Interviews, Recall (Psychology), Historic Sites, Learning Processes
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
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Author Affiliations: N/A