Why Study History?

coberst · Post by **coberst** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 4:10 am

Why Study History?

Why study the struggles that humanity has engaged to arrive at this point in our journey?

History provides various interpretations of the journey.

History is a vital part of a liberal education, which provides depth and breadth of comprehension regarding what being human is about.

History places the struggles into a comprehensible context.

History helps us comprehend change and the dialectic of that change.

We live in the ‘effect’ of a ‘cause’ and we will become the cause of the effect which is the future. History places this cause and effect series into a pattern that facilitates comprehension.

History facilitates insight into human nature.

“History is essential to the traditional objectives of the liberal arts, the quest for wisdom and virtue.

“There is another reason to study history: it's fun. History combines the excitement of exploration and discovery with the sense of reward born of successfully confronting and making sense of complex and challenging problems.

--Frank Luttmer (1996) http://history.hanover.edu/why.html

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 4:27 am

Your quote says it all.

History is fun! It involves a higher level of thinking to study history and apply the lessons, in many ways. There is nothing more enjoyable then a delightful day looking through historical items and records, and then the task of telling the story. I live for my 3-5 days a year at the Archives, because I never know what treasures will unfold before me, and then the fun part begins of telling the story-and more researching, and returning numerous times again to the primary sources themselves.

*off topic*

Oh, I get to go in 3 weeks if this stint of writing is done, it is my reward for working all summer long. I am very sure I will be done in 1-2 weeks! Ha-then I allow myself 2 days at the Archives, with new topics on my little list, and await what treasures are held within the boxes. Last summer I found 6 photos that had been lost from 1904. Oh, that was so much fun to run home and bring back the digital camera the next day. That is my fall project, to finish that article about that story-with the pictures in them. But I have so many things to look at, and so little time to see them all. History is so much fun!

coberst · Post by **coberst** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 7:19 am

Chonsi

It is a delight to read your response.

I post on several forums and it would sour your stomach to read some of the responses I have received to this topic.

Good luck on your research.

It really is a shame that some people have such a negative attitude toward learning.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 9:17 am

No Diuretic, that is a valid comment. I think if school subjects are not made interesting, the student is bored. And that is what they remebmer about it, and makes them not inclined to study further when they become adults.

I think Coberst would want a response like that-it is honest.

How do you make history interestign to students?

I just taught 7th social studeies the last 2 years. I did fun activities-an archaeological dig, re-enactments, building pyramids, etc. If the kids like it, they will learn and retain their knowledge.

Nexy year I am teaching 6th science-so I am going t overlap the history into it-ha! The dates on the board will be in English and Mayan (since they study Mesoamerian civilizations in 6th grade) and they will learn some Mayan too to speak. They will think it is cool, to have a "secret" language the other kids don't know. Cross curriculum lessons are something that should be more encouraged, and students will have more fun.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 9:45 am

Hands on learning is the best, Arnold. A little adventure "out of the box" and the subject matter is more interesting to any learned. Like Diuretic, when history was taken out of a long boring lecture on King So and So, and taken down to what the real person was doing, it was more fun. What did an ancient Egyptian do? We always looks at the pharaohs, but what did Mr. Anybody do? Then it is fun.

That is up to the educators themselves, to take the time and imagination to stimulate the learning process. It takes more preparation, but is worth it in the end. Then the student will really remember the lesson. I like to hear my students come back and tell me-"Hey, I remember when we made a pyramid in your class" then they remember. Or my favorite one-we made togas and had a fashion show. They had to talk the walk, and show them off. And believe it or not, all the boys volunteered to be the models. My favorite one-gosh, I will look for a pic this afternoon, was one decorated in sports gear-footballs and helmets, with a big brooch to hold it on, that said "I'm too sexy for my toga" It brought the house down that day.

Uncle Kram · Post by **Uncle Kram** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 11:03 am

The 2 subjects I hated most at school, History & Spanish, are the 2 subjects that have interested me the most in my adulthood. Isn't that odd?

woppy71 · Post by **woppy71** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 11:15 am

"If we forget about the past, we will be forever condemned to re-live it"

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 1:32 pm

i loved history at school, it was my favourite lesson :-6

Uncle Kram · Post by **Uncle Kram** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 1:58 pm

buttercup wrote: i loved history at school, it was my favourite lesson :-6

...but that was all in the past 'Cups :rolleyes:

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 1:59 pm

im still facinated by it kram, especially my own country's :-4

Uncle Kram · Post by **Uncle Kram** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 2:02 pm

It's a fascinating subject, that's for sure

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 2:15 pm

we'd be burned at the stake for sure pinks

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 2:26 pm

am sure someone would throw a bucket of water our way

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 2:28 pm

ArnoldLayne wrote: Chonsi, as a bored underachiever from what on the surface was an excellent school , I very much agree. Very few teachers gave me either confidence or any interest in their subject. Fear was prevalent but that taught me little either. I simply didnt understand and was often scared to say so. There were the odd exeptions, the ones that used a little humour and a spark of kindness in their eyes.

I have been a firm believer that the complete knowledge of your subject is only the begining of becoming a teacher. The next step is to know how to pass that knowledge on. I just know I would have enjoyed Chonsi's classes

Personally, I prefer to be "taught" rather than "lectured"

I'm with you there, Arnie. I think the thing I remember most about a lot of lessons is "Open your exercise books and take this down"! I mastered the art of speed-writing (except I had a job deciphering it later:D ).

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 4:16 pm

Pinky, you would dress up in medieval garb, and talk to them about the real life and times these people lived! Kids would love a lesson like that!

nvalleyvee · Post by **nvalleyvee** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 4:46 pm

We study history so we may understand our past. By understanding the past we might be able to comprehend the present. By comprehending the present we might vision the future.