A Better Way to Teach History | Seth Berkowitz | TEDxArcadiaUniversity

[jamescrawford]

My biggest issue with this is that it has been using the title of ‘teach history’. Nothing he has said, beyond bringing tablets instead of textbooks (which I agree, are usually outdated very soon after publication due to curriculum changes), relates to history education. He has pointed to ways in which we can promote history to a wider audience, i.e. rolling exhibits in museums, based on current issues and use of social media, which, as a historian (with an MA) and trainee teacher myself, I completely agree with. I feel, however, that this talk has missed the point of what it was supposed to be talking about, ‘teaching history’, there is very little here that hasn’t previously been utilised by teachers. I have seen teachers utilise social media to engage their pupils/students in the subject, I have seen technology used in the history classroom (where the budget allows) and I have seen museums, in the UK, use rolling exhibits and permanent exhibits to ensure they get foot traffic through their doors. I agree that some history teachers are set in their lecture style of teaching, which doesn’t do the subject any favours, however, what this talk should have demonstrated were the teachers who make their classrooms interactive and engaging (which doesn’t necessarily require technology). Having read the gentleman’s description, I would have loved to have heard positive examples from his work with ‘the National Museum of American Jewish History’ and ‘the Society for Castle Restoration’, these first-hand experiences would have made for a much more informative talk (I appreciate that it would be difficult to fit in a 5-minute talk).

[dannypriest]

All I heard was buy iPads and replace old people with young people.

[sch]

this was a lovely talk.
one way to make history more interesting is to start with a question about the modern world. for example, my history teacher asked us if we have ever wondered why some christians are protestant and some are catholic? we all responded with a yes and then she went on to explain the history of henry VIII. hook the student's curiosity with a question and let history be the answer.
also, social history and historical empathy are great way to keep student's attention because it makes the characters more relatable.
finally, teach the kids about the difference between reality and propaganda by touching on historical denialism, historical methodology and historiography

Basically, CHALLENGE your students. they can take it ;)

[mlasko]

There's something to be said for tech, but being plugged in and consumed 24/7, having your entire construct based into a screen i think is a horrible and depressing prospect.

[kraaronson]

This is about how to SELL history, not how to TEACH it.

[marlifalize]

Tech is not the solution. It depends on the quality of the speaker but also on the quality of the listeners. When you re young it s also useful to listen well first.

[lordscorch]

Some people are not good at public speaking. Case in point.

[jacobcourson]

Engagement does not always equal learning. Wish there was more research behind this.

[tinakhurana]

I am here searching a good history teacher, and found this video...
Honestly i really suffering because of my my college history teacher....they are extremely busy and don't have time for us, and don't describe things in elaborative
Being a student of history honour, it is terrible 😔

[francescc]

Stick to the academia and leave history teaching for the people who actually do the work

[vyombharadvaj]

This is so uninteresting ted talk. How’s it gonna make history interesting

[Infamous]

Teach them whatever there gonna go to YouTube anyways for there real education!!