Notes that history is always based on someone's vision of truth, expressed through a process of distillation, selection, inclusion, exclusion, reorganization, and prioritizing. Argues that the shorthand, watered-down, or warped history of mainstream textbooks regarding cultural diversity should be supplemented with original documents, fiction, and…

Analyzes the educational aims of science and history teachers through classroom observation and interviews. Finds that science teachers placed a strong emphasis on the content of their subject, exhibited a less uniform set of aims, and perceive uncertainty as threatening; history teachers emphasize children's interpretations and judgments as the…

Explores the views of junior high school students in Cambridgeshire (England) and Yamanashi (Japan) on the nature of history and their experiences with history teaching methods. Concludes that teachers in England should emphasize the acquisition of knowledge within history, while Japanese teachers must alter their students' attitudes to change…

Explains that using a document that belonged to Evelyn Lincoln, the personal secretary of John F. Kennedy from 1952-1963, can provide the basis for a case study for teaching high school and college students about the process of verifying historical evidence. Discusses the process of verifying Ms. Lincoln's document. (CMK)

Believes that social studies teachers should encourage young people to learn about Canadian heroes but simultaneously assist them in developing skepticism as opposed to only idealizing heroes. Explains that when students understand the qualities of heroes they will be able to cope when someone they hold as a hero falters. (CMK)

Living history and hands-on interpretation enable educators to capitalize on the curiosity, sensory needs, and creative enthusiasm of young students. However, objective evaluation in terms of measurable outcomes may be difficult. Suggestions are offered for linking curricular needs with personal growth by creating an atmosphere that promotes…

Discusses rules used in the House of Representatives from 1836 to 1844 to suppress discussions of slavery. Presents a lesson using primary documents that allows students to assess the role of the "gag rule" in creating sectional tension and to follow the transformation of an individual in the growing dispute. Includes documents. (DSK)

Reports on a 1996 Ministry of Education study on the teaching of history in Quebec. Criticizes the study for perpetuating leftist biases in favor of multiculturalism and globalization while censuring the study of Western civilization as evidence of Eurocentrism. Discusses the implications of, and reactions to, the government report. (MJP)

Describes Generation X students. Believes that teaching history to Generation X requires rebuilding the connections between community college teachers and four year schools that invent the "new history." Discusses how teachers can use the new history, "reflexive methodology," pictures from art history, and storytelling in the…

Discusses limitations of existing publisher-based computer-assisted instruction (CAI) products. Provides two examples of interactive multimedia courseware, discussing the potential for each in the United States History survey: (1) "Eunice: A Captivity Simulation" and (2) "Intercultural Sensitivity." Describes each courseware. (CMK)

States that the lack of vision in world history teaching at the U.S. Air Force Academy is due to several factors including textbook selection, faculty resistance to teaching world history, the debate between teaching Western Civilization versus world history, and the educational background of the faculty. (CMK)

Provides information about Alexander Cameron Rutherford, a provincial politician. Includes a letter written by Rutherford in 1912 that provides insights into his responsibilities to the general public, information about Rutherford himself, the economic conditions of Alberta, Canada in 1912, and information about the individual to whom it was…

Describes "Teaching the JAH" (Journal of American History), which offers online teaching packages demonstrating the use of JAH articles within the U.S. history survey course. Offers a sample of the material available in the teaching package for the article "Evolution for John Doe: Pictures, the Public, and the Scopes Trial Debate." (CMK)

Addresses the introduction of primary sources to students, discusses analyzing a primary source document, and provides two example primary accounts. Offers ideas for accessing primary source documents and includes a bibliography for further reading. (CMK)

Describes an action research project designed to improve the examination performance of advanced-level history students who performed better at age 16 than at age 18. After a weakness in essay writing was found, a teaching strategy for improving essay writing was developed. The action plan drew on the ideas of phenomenography. Students taught in…