Military history faces a dire fate. Fewer and fewer colleges and universities today regard the historical study of military institutions and practices a worthy social, and therefore scholarly, charge. John Lynn enters this debate, examining the state of military history, which he defines in terms of three genres: popular, applied, and academic.…

The authors present three lesson ideas that integrate women's history into the curriculum and that support the development of important social studies skills. The first lesson, for teachers to use at the beginning of the school year, encourages students to think critically about the nature of history and the importance of understanding the point…

As universities become more invested in assessment and outcomes, department chairs and deans increasingly are asked to figure out why some departments score well on tests, and others dismally low. In this article, the author sets out some guidelines and processes for examining test score data, in order to save time for faculty members and…

This paper will undertake a critical review of the impact of virtual reality tools on the teaching of history. Virtual reality is useful in several different ways. History educators, elementary and secondary school teachers and professors, can all profit from the digital environment. Challenges arise quickly however. Virtual reality technologies…

What are the most effective methods for teaching writing across grade levels and student populations? What kind of training do teachers need to put research-validated methods into practice? This unique volume combines the latest writing research with clear-cut recommendations for designing high-quality professional development efforts. Prominent…

Students are required to write a four-generation family geneology. The assignment is particularly effective in a course on recent United States history. (NHM)

Numerous examples of the origin of surnames in medieval England from patronymics, nicknames, trade names, villages, and home sites suggest a key for interesting students in the social upheavals that evolved from the Norman Conquest and the later rise of cities. (JH)

Here in the United Kingdom, we are used to the idea of assessing pupils' work against Levels. In fact, perhaps we are a little too used to it. Our familiarity with the Level Descriptions in the National Curriculum, and the ways they might inform our Key Stage 3 assessments, can stop us from thinking even harder about exactly what it is that we are…

The development of history as it is written and taught was outlined with emphasis on The History Workshop volumes that attempted to bring history closer to the central concerns of people's lives and to offer examples of what a people's history is, or might be, about. (Author/RK)

This paper examines history as a general education requirement in postsecondary institutions. General education tries to present a basic core of knowledge which is fundamental to all educated men and women. Research regarding goals for required general education and history reveals that a statement of goals is almost always couched in value terms.…

This study attempts to present and analyze the claims which professional American historicans, from 1880 to 1970, have made regarding the values to be derived from the study of history: 1) Develops good citizenship; this has been a persuasive theme, meaning different things to different writers; 2) Promotes patriotism. (It is interesting to note…

Discusses how examination of buildings as historical evidence can help students in college level history courses understand culture. Teaching methods are suggested, including walking tours, analyzing physical appearance of buildings, describing spaces between buildings, and examining buildings' ownership and occupancy patterns. Journal…

William Faulkner's novel "Absalom, Absalom!" is described as a valuable teaching resource for an introduction to the philosophy of history. At least six ways of viewing history are presented in the book, which is useful and motivating in helping students understand the complex nature of history. (AV)

Provides advice on visiting military sites and battlefields across Canada. Taking students on field trips to battlefields allows them to reconstruct the past in a creative and exciting way. (RM)