Digital Primary Sources

The use of digital primary sources in the classroom is still a relatively novel concept for me. In my own high school classroom experience, I cannot recall ever using digital sources. This is primarily because my History teachers were all in their 60's and 70's and I was in high school before these sources were widespread among high school teachers (1994-1998). Nonetheless, I do recall analyzing cartoon handouts in my US History class, albeit with a rather pessimistic attitude. I struggled to understand how this activity was going to help me prepare for the test. Isn't this just someone's opinion or perspective? Why does this matter? How does this help me learn the material for the test? I regret that this was my chief concern and that I failed to see the value in these exercises.

I do now believe that it is worthwhile to use these valuable resources in the classroom. I see them most useful in two ways. First, they are a great way to provide a visual during a lecture, say as a slide on a PowerPoint, so that students are given multiple representation's of the content material. You can also support instruction by using an audio of an actual speech in which you reference in a lecture. Secondly, once background information and knowledge is established in you students through lecture, reading, or research, having students analyze digital primary sources by asking them to respond to questions concerning the sources is a fantastic way to promote the development of higher level thinking skills in your students. This can be done by using different pictures or quotes to provide multiple perspectives of a single event and asking questions to that asks students to compare and contrast the sources. It is important for teachers to make sure that students understand why these activities are important. By first scaffolding these activities with background knowledge, students are provided the base knowledge to develop and access higher order skills. And it is through these skills of analyzing, creating, and evaluating that develops greater levels of relevance and meaning in learning