Course Module One:  Primary Sources and the Internet

 

 

Objectives: 

*      Students will be able to demonstrate introductory knowledge, skills, and understanding of concepts related to technology – specifically, the availability and purpose of online primary sources.

*      Students will participate in student learning activities in a technology-enhanced environment

*      Students will apply technology to develop creativity

 

 

Introduction: 

 

We have all been forced at some point in our lives to do research.  We carefully read encyclopedia articles, learned how to use microfiche machines, copied journal pages, and checked out books.  We sat in the library, pencils poised, and took notes from each text.  If we needed primary sources, we scoured the microfiche files, or if we were really lucky, found a very old book on a dusty shelf somewhere and pored over it. 

 

Those days, my friends, are over.

 

The definition of research has been modified almost beyond recognition.  These days, research means sitting at a computer and doing a Google search, or subscribing to and searching a database, also available at the tap of a few keys.  Many researchers lack the skill, time, or interest to thoroughly evaluate the information so readily available to them.  Plagiarism is at an all time high.  It seems that computer use has taken something critical from the research process.

 

The good news is that it has also given many things back, including readily available primary sources.

 

This activity is designed to aid in the exploration of available primary sources in the internet, and to help emphasize why primary sources are so valuable to the research process. 

 


 

Reading and Discussion:

 

Browse the following websites about using primary sources in research.  Pay particular attention to what types are available, where they can be found, and what purposes they serve.  When you are finished, choose one of the discussion questions below and post a brief response on the discussion board under the appropriate thread.  Then choose another question thread and respond to a fellow classmate’s thoughts.  

Using Primary Sources on the Web - http://www.lib.washington.edu/subject/History/RUSA/

Why Study History Through Primary Sources? - http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/robinson-sources.html

 

Thoughts for Discussion:

*      How might the widespread availability of primary documents change the face of research?

*      How might primary documents be used in a classroom setting to facilitate or enhance learning?

*      What are some drawbacks to the widespread availability of primary documents?

*      What subject area stands to benefit the most from the widespread availability of primary sources?  Why?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activity:

 

Choose a topic that interests you.  Search the internet for sites that provide primary documents about that source.  While searching for something well-documented (like the Civil War) is fine, it might be more interesting and informative to search for something less obvious.  Find five reliable sources of primary documents about your topic.  Browse the resources that are available about your topic. 

HINT:  Remember to experiment with search terms.  For example, if you wanted to find primary documents from the 1920’s, you could search “Roaring Twenties,” “Jazz Age,” “Great Depression,” etc. 

Check out The Learning Page (posted by the Library of Congress) if you’re having trouble getting started.  (http://memory.loc.gov/learn/start/inres/ushist/primary.html)

 

Assignment:

Create an annotated bibliography for the five websites that you found.   Be sure to include:  the title of the website (hyperlinked), the author or host (if available), and the complete web address, in addition to a brief synopsis of what documents are available at that site and how user-friendly it is.   Rank and order the citations (just cut and paste) from most helpful and easy to navigate to least helpful and more difficult to navigate, and add a sentence or two explaining your ranking.

 

Submission:

 

Post your document as an html file on the McDaniel server.  Create a link to the site from your index page.   Send your instructor a hot link to the posted site. 

 

Assessment:

 

Unacceptable

Proficient

Advanced

Thoroughness of Annotation

Lacks detailed information about the website

Provides some information about source, but lacks depth of analysis

Thorough, in-depth analysis of website

in succinct terms

Evaluation of Sources

Seemingly random ranking with no explanation given

Understandable but underdeveloped explanation for ranking

Complete, rational ranking system clearly explained

 

For more information about primary sources on the web, check out these sites:

Springfield Township’s Virtual Library:  This site offer more discussion on the importance of primary sources, as well as the different types that are available and where to find them.  Geared towards high school students.  (http://mciunix.mciu.k12.pa.us/~spjvweb/primary.html)

 

Primary Sources:  A HUGE index of primary sources, alphabetized by author.  Hit or miss, but fun to browse anyway!  (http://www.win.tue.nl/~engels/discovery/primary.html)

 

 

Primary Sources Tutorial:  A smaller but still helpful index to available primary collections.  (http://www.lib.uci.edu/tutorial/?page=find_primary_sources_on_the_web)