WHY LIVING HISTORY IS A VALID TEACHING TOOL BY: Gabe Knudson

1. WHY LIVING HISTORY IS A VALID TEACHING TOOLBY:Gabe Knudson

2. What is living history? • Living History is defined by Collins English Dictionary as any of various activities involving the re-enactment of historical events or the recreation of living conditions of the past.

3. The people involved in Living History • Living history is Community of Practice (defined by Etienne Wenger as groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly.) that has all kinds of people who participate for a variety of reasons. Pictured: Thom Swan is an American historical reenactor who specializes in northwestern fur trade between the years 1763 and 1821. He has written articles in many prominent living history periodicals and even has his own webpage dedicated to his journey through living history. http://tworiversak.com/Living%20History.htm

4. Where is it happening? • Living History takes place all around the world although the heaviest concentrations are found in Europe and the United States. • Some notable American living history sites are: • http://www.plimoth.org/ • http://www.osv.org/ • http://www.tenement.org/ • http://www.villagehistoriqueacadien.com/ • http://www.history.org/ • http://parks.ca.gov/?page_id=663

5. As a learning tool • Kinestheiclearning is learning through experience and doing. It is a preferred learning style for most experienced and older learners as they see the effectiveness. This is the style of learning that living history uses to teach people of all ages.

6. As a learning tool Cont… • In one study conducted by North Carolina State University, the basic concept was “A guided interview questionnaire was used for determining the learning preferences of specifically targeted Extension audiences in 11 North Carolina counties. Agents from each of the 11 counties selected an applicable program for their county and developed educational program objectives and a list of clientele targeted to receive the specific information.”. This research showed that in each unit or “table” a majority of those surveyed learned best through Seeing and Doing. The study concluded “The learning process is further enhanced by providing opportunities for the learners to also see and discuss the information.”.

7. As a learning tool Cont… • Using the learning style of kinetic learning, living history makes learning history accessible and engaging. When people can make the connections and see history as it happened it creates a better learning environment and higher retention of the information as opposed to regular classroom instruction or a formal lecture.

8. ARGUMENTS AGAINST LIVING HISTORY AS A VALID Teaching tool • Some critics may question the validity of living history as a learning tool. Most of these criticisms are due to “gimmicky” and historically inaccurate historical sites that have thrived in our nation’s past. Since this age of tourist-centered historical sites and inaccurate living history, the academic world has become more involved with these sites and made sure that what they are doing there is backed by historical research.

9. CONCLUSION • living history should be integrated as a vital part of postmodern curriculum for all students. It is an important tool that can help people learn more and make information easier to retain than ever before.

10. Images Cited • http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotos-g60720-d77541-w3-Jacob_Rohrbach_Inn-Sharpsburg_Maryland.html • http://www.panthercityregulators.com/award.htm • http://www.townofbowlinggreen.com/?q=node/41 • http://www.logcabinfarmwinery.com/ • http://www.1worldglobes.com/discoveryglobe.htm • http://child-1st.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/02/kinesthetic-tactile-learner.html • http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/learning/community/adults.aspx • http://boredcentral.com/tips-for-a-vibrant-classroom/ • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Carolina_State_University • http://www.worldofstock.com/stock-photos/mock-up-of-an-old-western-town/TAU6384 • http://www.cottonbaler.com/