dc.contributor.author | Horn, Karen | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2014-07-28T08:09:10Z | |
dc.date.available | 2014-07-28T08:09:10Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2014 | |
dc.identifier.citation | Horn, K. 2014. Oral history in the classroom: Clarifying the context through historical understanding. Yesterday & today, 11:72-83, Jul. [http://www.sashtw.org.za/index2.htm] [http://dspace.nwu.ac.za/handle/10394/5126] | en_US |
dc.identifier.issn | 2223-0386 | |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10394/10918 | |
dc.description.abstract | The focus of this paper is on the use of oral history in the classroom and it aims
to suggest a method in which oral history recordings and transcriptions may be
used to enhance historical understanding among learners by making historical
context clear. Firstly, the paper gives background information on the historical
research which was largely based on the oral testimony of World War Two veterans
and former prisoners-of-war. This theme serves as an example theme for history
lessons in especially the Senior Phase classroom as preparation for the FET-phase
classroom. Secondly the paper looks at ways in which these sources can be used
in the classroom. By using oral sources it is hoped that learners and teachers may
move beyond the so-called “hard” forms of historical knowledge, in other words the
facts or content knowledge and gain insight into historical significance through the
context which oral sources are able to uncover. The paper concludes with ideas and
example questions on how students’ interest in the past can be enhanced as they
confront oral testimony, thereby increasing their appreciation for the past as well as
their respect for those who experienced the historical events first hand.
The use of oral history in the classroom reveals students’ misunderstandings of the
past and may help educators to address the specific problems of comprehension.
Several examples of such cases are mentioned in the paper, including instances
where linguistic skills and critical thinking skills may be potentially improved.
Apart from creating awareness of historical context, the use of oral testimony has
the potential to broaden vocabulary and develop students’ critical thinking skills
when, through oral history, they investigate issues of historical accuracy, diverse
perspectives and employ the research skills historians regularly use, including
communication, analysis and evaluation. | en_US |
dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
dc.publisher | The South African Society for History Teaching (SASHT) under the auspices of the School of Basic Sciences, Vaal Triangle Campus, North-West University | en_US |
dc.subject | Senior Phase history | en_US |
dc.subject | Further Education and Training (FET) phase history | en_US |
dc.subject | Oral History | en_US |
dc.subject | Historical Context | en_US |
dc.subject | Historical Skills | en_US |
dc.subject | Primary Sources | en_US |
dc.subject | Prisoners-of-War | en_US |
dc.title | Oral history in the classroom: Clarifying the context through historical understanding. | en_US |
dc.type | Article | en_US |