Week 1:
Research:  A discussion of primary source documents including the importance of preservation, where to access and view them, and identifying the key points.

Assignments:

• Visit On-line course and discussion.
• Read Content for week 1 and check in with the discussion group.
• Choose primary source documents (relevant to subject area) for your students to explore in the classroom.
• Help your students identify the primary source document's salient issue.

You have entered the Living History On-line workshop!  Read the content below and then check into the Discussion Forum.

Any student of higher education doesn't have to be told that knowing how to "research" is an invaluable skill.  However, it may be possible that a student has made it to college without actually understanding what a "primary source document" is compared to a "secondary source document," and then there is the "tertiary document" to consider.

What is a "primary source document" and how do I find one?  Click here to find out!

Why do you think it is important to preserve primary source documents? (Post your answer to the discussion.)

What is a "secondary source document?" Click here to find out!

"Tertiary sources consist of information which is a distillation and collection of primary and secondary sources such as Almanacs, Encyclopedias, and Fact books."

We want to concentrate on the primary source documents for this course/workshop.  Search the Internet, check out the historical society in your community, or check the library for documents that are relevant to the subject you teach.  You have total freedom of choice on this.  As long as your documents fit the definition of a primary source then they are usable for this course.  Keep in mind that you will want documents that have some "meat" to them. 

Now, check in with the discussion group to post your reflections on our in-class session.  You will also want to post your progress on researching for documents throughout the week.  When you have gathered a sufficient amount of research to suit the size of your class share the documents with your students.  Help them identify the most important point of the document or the point upon which they wish to focus for their project.