Primary sources are materials that come directly from the person or event of record. Such sources could include journals, documents, letter, diaries, memoirs or artifacts. Teaching is made easier with primary sources because students are able to relate to the topic through original visual and audio cues. Primary sources are used to teach virtually any subject from history to science, and even mathematics. It is simple to find and use primary sources online. Many universities, museums and government agencies have digital databases that can be accessed for educational purposes.
Simple talk of government documents is apt to leave many adolescents yawning. When these documents are presented directly in front of their eyes, they are likely to brighten up and retain more of the lesson. Having a tangible source of information is more interesting that reading about it only in text. Giving children and teens the opportunity to explore these historical documents as they were originally written allows a greater level of interaction, which will help keep them interested.
History in the form of a first person diary or memoir is very enlightening. Autobiographies and the like encourage readers to imagine what the person was thinking, feeling and seeing as they went through their tribulations. This type of engagement asks the reader to step into someone else’s shoes for a time. Learning information is easier when a level of interaction is initiated.
Primary sources come in many forms. Newspaper articles are a direct take on a situation at hand, which is recorded in the present. Photos from these articles give a picture to go along with the verbiage that helps students to better comprehend the historical relevance. Though newspaper articles can be a terrific source, students should take care not to regard them as absolute historical truth; a writer’s objectivity is key to the content.
Speeches and oral accounts are another topic in which adolescents tend to lose interest if there is not some level of sensory stimulation. Hearing a famous speech will leave a much bigger impression on a student than reading it would. This holds especially true when the audio is a primary source as opposed to rerecorded verbiage. Some of the greatest interviews, speeches and oral presentations in history have been recorded and made available online.
Pictures can tell tales that leave lasting memories. Visual materials create prompts in the memory that allow students to connect history to an image. This is helpful for students of all ages, from elementary to senior high. Historical photographs help to date many different eras.
While looking at artifacts in person is very engaging, the same level of enthusiasm can be attained through an online database of artifacts. Various artifacts have been cataloged and are now accessible via the web. Students can see ancient coins, African necklaces and military weapons. Thanks to online availability, students can also access artifacts that were once only available to curators.
Primary sources are a comprehensive way to teach various subjects. This method of teaching appeals to students and instructors alike as it is a way to consciously make a connection with the proposed subject matter. Primary sources let students engage assorted senses all at one time. This helps to keep the focus of the subject matter. Mindful focus results in a higher level of learning and allows the student to retain the information taught.