4. How do historical records enhance learning and skill development?

Teaching with historical records is a pedagogically sound method to advance cognitive and affective learning, and to build skills. By clustering interpretive and analytical activities around historical records, teachers enhance their curriculum.

Example: If the U.S. Civil War is a curriculum component, activities using a letter, broadside, muster roll, photograph, piece of sheet music, or discharge paper (to name a few appropriate historical records) will advance students’ knowledge of the Civil War while developing critical thinking skills.

When using historical records, students learn to:

• interpret, clarify, analyze, evaluate.
• recognize point of view and bias.
• identify contradictions.
• determine what is accepted as fact and what is rejected as fiction or unsubstantiated in a historical record.
• draw conclusions.
• analyze raw data showing cause and effect.
• weigh generalizations and historical theories presented in textbooks, reference materials and television programs while recognizing their limitations.
• recognize potential for multiple interpretations.
• acknowledge their own frames of reference and contemporary viewpoints which color their interpretations.
• develop confidence in their ability to acquire knowledge.

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