Historical Reminiscents EP 40: Place Based Learning

Woman showing two children a tree

Last week I spent time with undergraduate students from Huron University College's history program.  As part of the "Documenting early residential schools" a SSHRC Partnership Engage project between Huron University College, the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre, and the Woodland Cultural Centre students were able to visit the Shingwauk site to learn about the early history … Continue reading Historical Reminiscents EP 40: Place Based Learning

Reflections on an Undergraduate Public History Course

Ryan Gosling Sitting at a bar. Words written "Hey Girl, Combining my image with theory is an outstanding exercise in Public History praxis"

This fall I had the opportunity to teach "Select Topics in Community-Based Public History", a third-year history course at Algoma University.  This was my first time designing and being the sole instructor for a course.  Now that the dust has settled and all my marks are in I thought I would use this post to … Continue reading Reflections on an Undergraduate Public History Course

Science North – The Child Edition

I'm definitely more of a history buff than a science person, but as you might have guessed by the numerous times I've written about it I think Science North is a pretty awesome place.  It's rarely crazy busy, encourages hands on learning, and is a perfect size to cover in an afternoon.  This past weekend … Continue reading Science North – The Child Edition

Project of Heart: Hands on History

Comparable to the (official denial) trade value in progress sewing actions I wrote about last week, Project of Heart is a commemoration project which combines an artistic activity with history education.  Project of Heart aims to educate Canadians about the lasting impact of the Indian Residential School system.  The project places an emphasis remembering those … Continue reading Project of Heart: Hands on History

Interactive Canadian History: Sewing Responses to the Past

This week the archive I work at hosted a sewing action as part of the (official denial) trade value in progress project.   This project engages people in discussion and reflection relating to reconciliation, truth telling, and Canada's history of colonialism and Residential Schools.  This interactive art project stimulates discussion about Canada's history while allowing participants … Continue reading Interactive Canadian History: Sewing Responses to the Past

Hands on Learning at Science North

This past weekend I spent the better part of the day at Science North.  I have fond memories of Science North from family outings as a child and my recent visit rekindled a lot of my enthusiasm for hands on learning. I work in an archive where most visitors have very little hands on exposure … Continue reading Hands on Learning at Science North

Hands-On: Experiential Learning at Heritage Sites

The idea of experiential learning (the process of learning through doing) is being heavily promoted in education systems right now. Hands on activities, active involvement in learning exercises, and anything other than listening to people talk are all types of experiential learning. Living history sites are excellent examples of heritage organizations which utilize experiential learning.  Visitors … Continue reading Hands-On: Experiential Learning at Heritage Sites