What do you think of this as part of a social studies class?
http://630wpro.com/article.asp?id=2316296
Notes and a Topic
14 years ago
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Sunday, October 23, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Outlines and Research Topics
This week I want you to reflect a bit on your experience taking notes, constructing an outline and writing the essay. Is the outline proving helpful? irritating? troublesome? complicated? are you lost? blocked? explain and share what you have learned and the problems you are having. Remember to email Michelle or me if you get stuck and need some direction as you write.
Also, what ideas have you come up with for your research project? what interests you? what would you like to know?
Also, what ideas have you come up with for your research project? what interests you? what would you like to know?
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Hidden Interpretation
This week we have examined interpretation in textbooks and made a first foray into 'reading' or interpreting primary sources. Texts do not clearly state their goal or perspective but as we discovered in class the perspective or interpretation can be found in the selection of material and its arrangement in the text. What was striking to you about this exercise? What did you learn? Should textbooks come with a warning about 'hidden perspective'? Do we need to teach students how to 'read' these texts? To me this exercise is like reading or listening to the news - I don't typically question the truthfulness of the news but am aware that perspective and interpretation is often evident - in the choice and presentation of stories, the selection of material and in the emphasis.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Perspective in History
For this blog assignment, posted by Saturday please, I'd like you to reflect a bit on the readings and discussion on the role of interpretation and perspective in the making of history. I think most of us start in school from the notion that history is about facts and data. Our readings, however, have suggested that facts alone "deprive human existence of all significance," which may be reflected in the disinterest of our audience.
Foner says that all history is contemporary and that history changes. Becker discusses the need to shuffle and select material. Jensen argues that interpretation and meaning is essential. Zinn promotes meaning and relevance in our teaching.
What do you think? Take a few minutes to review the texts. Find a quote [relevant, interesting, troublesome, something you agree with, dont agree with] from the readings as a way to begin a discussion on interpretation and perspective. {some things to consider may be What do you think is the role of interpretation in the making of history? Why? Have your ideas on the nature and function of history change? on the job of historian?} Take care to refer to the texts in your discussion.
Foner says that all history is contemporary and that history changes. Becker discusses the need to shuffle and select material. Jensen argues that interpretation and meaning is essential. Zinn promotes meaning and relevance in our teaching.
What do you think? Take a few minutes to review the texts. Find a quote [relevant, interesting, troublesome, something you agree with, dont agree with] from the readings as a way to begin a discussion on interpretation and perspective. {some things to consider may be What do you think is the role of interpretation in the making of history? Why? Have your ideas on the nature and function of history change? on the job of historian?} Take care to refer to the texts in your discussion.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Hello everyone,
I really enjoyed reading your talking points and editorial outlines. Most of the talking points were very sharp - you used the questions to guide you to the main idea and to the evidence. Keep that up. Many of you also had interesting 'points to raise in class' that I'm sorry we didn't get to. The point is that you are understanding the main ideas of the text and working with them so they become for you part of the larger conversation on the value and purpose of history (even though you may reject some or all of the ideas).
The outlines were also good but not as consistently strong. Take care to use whole sentences when describing both the thesis or main argument as well as supporting arguments. Make sure you proof it to be sure that the reader will get the main idea and evidence. For instance, if the thesis is "B argues that red shoes are the best" the supporting arguments / evidence should not be a brief one word like
a. happy b. color c. health
Instead use full sentences to explain the point
a. B points to scientific evidence that shows that red shoes make people happy.
b. traffic statistics demonstrate that people wearing red shoes are less likely to be run over by autos
c. medical studies suggest that people who wear red shoes live longer.
And for the question of the week on your blog - Which of the many values and uses of history raised by Zinn, Becker and Stearns appeals the most to you? Consider this form your perspective as an individual and as a member of a larger society. Remember to read at least 2 other posts and incorporate those ideas into your comments. The point is to get some conversation going.
I really enjoyed reading your talking points and editorial outlines. Most of the talking points were very sharp - you used the questions to guide you to the main idea and to the evidence. Keep that up. Many of you also had interesting 'points to raise in class' that I'm sorry we didn't get to. The point is that you are understanding the main ideas of the text and working with them so they become for you part of the larger conversation on the value and purpose of history (even though you may reject some or all of the ideas).
The outlines were also good but not as consistently strong. Take care to use whole sentences when describing both the thesis or main argument as well as supporting arguments. Make sure you proof it to be sure that the reader will get the main idea and evidence. For instance, if the thesis is "B argues that red shoes are the best" the supporting arguments / evidence should not be a brief one word like
a. happy b. color c. health
Instead use full sentences to explain the point
a. B points to scientific evidence that shows that red shoes make people happy.
b. traffic statistics demonstrate that people wearing red shoes are less likely to be run over by autos
c. medical studies suggest that people who wear red shoes live longer.
And for the question of the week on your blog - Which of the many values and uses of history raised by Zinn, Becker and Stearns appeals the most to you? Consider this form your perspective as an individual and as a member of a larger society. Remember to read at least 2 other posts and incorporate those ideas into your comments. The point is to get some conversation going.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
How's the weekend going for everyone? Today I hit some great yard sales, worked on a syllabus and took my son to see the movie MY IDIOT BROTHER. Great fun all around.
Hope you are getting in some relaxing. Don't forget to take a moment or two to read each others' posts - good way to get to know everyone a bit better.
Happy worker's day to all of us working people. LS
Hope you are getting in some relaxing. Don't forget to take a moment or two to read each others' posts - good way to get to know everyone a bit better.
Happy worker's day to all of us working people. LS
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Your expectations of History 200
Hello everyone,
We seemed to have had an interesting first day which bodes well for the remainder of the semester. Before we get into the thick of things, though, I'd like you to consider two issues in your first post.
What you would like to get out of this course [besides a great time, chocolate, 4 credits and an A!]? Our larger goal is to learn the skills of a historian but what would you like to be of particular benefit to you in this course? The answer is wide open but here are some issues to think about in responding. Are you interested in working with a group of peers who share the same passion for history - why? Would you like to improve your reading, writing, or analytical skills? Why - what in specific could use some work or improvement? Are you interested in how to think about history as a teacher - why and how?
And finally, why do you like the study of history? Why is it interesting to you? What in particular moves you? This is a big questions so give it some thought.
Looking forward to your blogs. Remember to email me the address. See you Wednesday.
We seemed to have had an interesting first day which bodes well for the remainder of the semester. Before we get into the thick of things, though, I'd like you to consider two issues in your first post.
What you would like to get out of this course [besides a great time, chocolate, 4 credits and an A!]? Our larger goal is to learn the skills of a historian but what would you like to be of particular benefit to you in this course? The answer is wide open but here are some issues to think about in responding. Are you interested in working with a group of peers who share the same passion for history - why? Would you like to improve your reading, writing, or analytical skills? Why - what in specific could use some work or improvement? Are you interested in how to think about history as a teacher - why and how?
And finally, why do you like the study of history? Why is it interesting to you? What in particular moves you? This is a big questions so give it some thought.
Looking forward to your blogs. Remember to email me the address. See you Wednesday.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Welcome to History 200
Welcome to History 200 blogging experience.
Sometime before Sunday, September 6, at noon you will set up your own blog to use this semester to keep track of your thoughts about the issues we cover, to respond to weekly prompts and to post progress on your assignments. This is the first time I've used a blog so we will learn together about learning by blogging.
A blog is your very own, personal online journal. It is public, in that I and your classmates can read it and comment on it, but it is your space and you can control most everything about it. (If you want to make it private so that *only* members of this class can read it, I can show you how to do so).
In the context of this course, your has three goals.
1. Your blog will provide a space for you to comment on the issues we've covered each week. Typically I will post a prompt after our Wednesday class and ask you to respond by Saturday noon. The prompt may ask you to respond to a question or to a quote in one of our texts for that week or to comment on an issue we've covered. I might also ask you to post assignments.
You may also use the blog to post additional thoughts you may have on historical methods or the New Deal: responses to class discussion, after thoughts, things you forgot to say in class, relevant experiences you have, connections to other classes or even links to articles and news commentary that relates to our discussion or has raised interesting issues for you.
2. Perhaps more importantly, your blog is a public space and as you post, and read and comment on others', you will gain a much richer understanding of everything we read and discuss in class. I want you to think of it as interactive and intertextual. It will encourage you to make connections between class discussions and readings one week and perhaps readings from another week or a relevant discussion in another class.
3. As you read and post about each other's blogs you will also become a community of learners with ties that will exist and strengthen outside of the classroom.
To start your own blog [really, its easy], go to:
www.blogger.com
The big orange box at the top right of the page will direct you to creating your own blog on a site called blogspot.com. Follow the instructions to open up a free account. Don't forget your Username and Password!! You will need them to login everytime.
As you fill in the info, you will be asked to name your blog. This title will appear at the top of your blog. (Mine is called "apprenticehistorians11")
Then, you need to choose an address:
http://_______.blogspot.com
This will be the web address associated with your site. you can call it anything you like. Be clever or simple (or both) -- it is up to you.
You will also need to choose a design template for your blog. Look through the options listed and see what appeals to you. You can change this later and can even find fun, creative templates at sites like PYZAM.
Once you have the account set up, you can start posting. A “posting” is an entry on your blog. (For clarification, you have one blog, but many postings). Give the post a title and then compose as you would any journal entry. When you are finished, hit the button at the bottom that says Publish Post. It will not appear on your blog until you publish it. You can always go back and edit old posts and create new ones.
Your First Post:
Your first post should be a short introduction to you: who are you, how your semester is going so far, why are you in this class, what do you like [or not] about history, about being in college, what do you do when you are not in class, or what you think we should know about you. (Just a short paragraph — no big deal). You will post the rest of the entries as they are due (see course syllabus for dates), or whenever you have something to say!
When you are done creating your site and posting your first entry, please come back to this blog and post a comment at the end of my first posting (scroll down) that includes your blog address so that I can post it in the link list to the right.
Some Tips and Helpful Hints:
Sometime before Sunday, September 6, at noon you will set up your own blog to use this semester to keep track of your thoughts about the issues we cover, to respond to weekly prompts and to post progress on your assignments. This is the first time I've used a blog so we will learn together about learning by blogging.
A blog is your very own, personal online journal. It is public, in that I and your classmates can read it and comment on it, but it is your space and you can control most everything about it. (If you want to make it private so that *only* members of this class can read it, I can show you how to do so).
In the context of this course, your has three goals.
1. Your blog will provide a space for you to comment on the issues we've covered each week. Typically I will post a prompt after our Wednesday class and ask you to respond by Saturday noon. The prompt may ask you to respond to a question or to a quote in one of our texts for that week or to comment on an issue we've covered. I might also ask you to post assignments.
You may also use the blog to post additional thoughts you may have on historical methods or the New Deal: responses to class discussion, after thoughts, things you forgot to say in class, relevant experiences you have, connections to other classes or even links to articles and news commentary that relates to our discussion or has raised interesting issues for you.
2. Perhaps more importantly, your blog is a public space and as you post, and read and comment on others', you will gain a much richer understanding of everything we read and discuss in class. I want you to think of it as interactive and intertextual. It will encourage you to make connections between class discussions and readings one week and perhaps readings from another week or a relevant discussion in another class.
3. As you read and post about each other's blogs you will also become a community of learners with ties that will exist and strengthen outside of the classroom.
To start your own blog [really, its easy], go to:
www.blogger.com
The big orange box at the top right of the page will direct you to creating your own blog on a site called blogspot.com. Follow the instructions to open up a free account. Don't forget your Username and Password!! You will need them to login everytime.
As you fill in the info, you will be asked to name your blog. This title will appear at the top of your blog. (Mine is called "apprenticehistorians11")
Then, you need to choose an address:
http://_______.blogspot.com
This will be the web address associated with your site. you can call it anything you like. Be clever or simple (or both) -- it is up to you.
You will also need to choose a design template for your blog. Look through the options listed and see what appeals to you. You can change this later and can even find fun, creative templates at sites like PYZAM.
Once you have the account set up, you can start posting. A “posting” is an entry on your blog. (For clarification, you have one blog, but many postings). Give the post a title and then compose as you would any journal entry. When you are finished, hit the button at the bottom that says Publish Post. It will not appear on your blog until you publish it. You can always go back and edit old posts and create new ones.
Your First Post:
Your first post should be a short introduction to you: who are you, how your semester is going so far, why are you in this class, what do you like [or not] about history, about being in college, what do you do when you are not in class, or what you think we should know about you. (Just a short paragraph — no big deal). You will post the rest of the entries as they are due (see course syllabus for dates), or whenever you have something to say!
When you are done creating your site and posting your first entry, please come back to this blog and post a comment at the end of my first posting (scroll down) that includes your blog address so that I can post it in the link list to the right.
Some Tips and Helpful Hints:
- Once you are in your blog, look at the top right corner of the screen. If you click on the word DESIGN, you will be able to make design changes, create new posts, edit old posts, etc. (You can only do this if you are logged in to your blog.)
- Once you are in the DESIGN screen, you can do all kinds of things to make your blog a bit more interesting. Change your fonts and colors, edit a post, change your settings. See the tabs at the top of the screen for all kinds of options.
- Poke around online and make a list of websites related to history, the New Deal, current politics, teaching history or anything else relevant and post them on your blog. You can add all kinds of things by ADDING A GADGET from your Design Screen.
- Just do the best you can with this. If you get stuck, don't fret... I am happy to help you anytime as you work on getting this started. And remember: you can't break it or mess it up. It is just a blog. Good luck!!
LS
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