How Students Understand the Past: From Theory to Practice

(Paperback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

History and archaeology education is highly valued among modern societies that seek to educate their youth about the past. Yet these areas have been_for the most part_slow to employ the latest advances in education theory and practice. Former classroom teacher and science education specialist M. Elaine Davis presents an informed and useful text that demonstrates the importance of contemporary learning theory and educational research to the development of effective programs in both formal and informal history and archaeology education. Chapters cover teaching and history education theory, and apply this to various case studies and program examples. This text will prove a much-valued tool for school teachers, museum educators, archaeologists, and historians_challenging and aiding educators to assess and improve their respective programs.

Reviews

The creation and re-creation of history is fundamental to human beingsboth individually and collectively. Elaine Davis reveals to us just how profound is the process of constructing history by bringing together contemporary theory and practice from the fields of history, archaeology, and education. More importantly, this significant book portrays a new and more enlightened way for us to teach 'history' in a variety of settingsa way that honors the student as the agent of his or her own historical reality. -- Terry Roberts, Director, National Paideia Center
Dr. Elaine Davis's book provides evidence of the need for a paradigm shift in the study of history and archaeology education. It should be read by anyone who is involved in the business of historyarchaeologists, teachers, interpreters, museum educators, historiansas well as anyone else who considers him or herself a student of history. -- Dr. Susan D. Renoe, University of Missouri-Columbia
Elaine Davis is a highly respected archaeology educator who understands both the worlds of educators and archaeologists. How Students Understand the Past: From Theory to Practice offers fascinating case studies of both research about learning and educational in-school and out-of school programs, all informed by contemporary learning theory, instructional methodology, and Dr. Davis' personal experiences. For Davis, history encompasses the entire human past that should be studied through oral traditions, archaeology, and written records, a perspective essential for integrating the teaching of archaeology and history. A 'must read' for teachers and teacher educators, for museum and heritage specialists, for archaeologists and historians, or anyone developing an educational program whose goal is the teaching and understanding of the past. -- Ruth O. Selig, Editor, AnthroNotes
History is created by the people who interpret the past. How and why could it possibly be boring To investigate, Dr. Davis examined how history is taught, how it is perceived by students, and how students learn. For those wishing to go beyond presenting history toward the goal of helping students discover the past, this volume is a must read. -- Carol J. Ellick, Director of Public Programs, SRI Foundation, Chair of the Society for American Archaeology, Public Education Committee

Author Bio

M. Elaine Davis is director of education at Crow Canyon Archaeological Center.