Zooming With Historians to Reinforce Student Learning

A conversation with a subject matter expert is a rare and powerful experience that helps cement learners’ recently acquired knowledge.

By David Cutler
March 27, 2024

Edutopia

In the article "Zooming With Historians to Reinforce Student Learning," David Cutler shares innovative approaches for enhancing student engagement and learning in history education through virtual interactions with subject matter experts. Published on March 27, 2024, and featuring insights from experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, the article underscores the transformative impact of integrating real-time discussions with historians and authors into the curriculum.

Cutler, a high school history teacher, initially sought to connect his students with Kenneth C. Davis, the author of "More Deadly Than War: The Hidden History of the Spanish Flu and the First World War," to deepen their understanding of historical pandemics in light of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. This interaction not only engaged students but also provided them with a platform to ask insightful questions and draw parallels between past and present events. Encouraged by the success of this endeavor, Cutler regularly incorporated Zoom sessions with scholars into his teaching strategy, thereby significantly boosting student interest in history.

This educational approach has multiple benefits, including heightened enthusiasm for reading and writing. Knowing they would interact with authors, students were motivated to formulate thoughtful questions and articulate well-informed insights, aiming to make a lasting impression. Cutler developed a preparatory assignment called "two prompts and a response" to further encourage active engagement and critical thinking. This task requires students to generate seminar questions based on their readings and answer one, promoting clarity, conciseness, and analytical depth in their submissions.

The interaction with Davis exemplifies the efficacy of this method. Students prepared meticulously, asking relevant and complex questions that connected historical events to contemporary issues, impressing the author and fostering a deeper connection with the subject matter. Such engagements not only enrich students' understanding of history but also enhance their participation in discussions, particularly among introverted students who may typically shy away from speaking up. The opportunity to engage with experts seems to embolden them, contributing to a more inclusive and dynamic learning environment.

Cutler's approach draws inspiration from Susan Cain's work on introversion, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and accommodating different personality types within educational settings. By providing varied platforms for expression and interaction, Cutler facilitates a more engaging and equitable classroom experience, where students feel valued and motivated to contribute.

The article also offers practical advice for educators looking to adopt similar strategies, including tips for contacting and inviting scholars to participate in classroom discussions. Cutler's experiences illustrate that many scholars are open to such opportunities, recognizing the mutual benefits of engaging with students.

In conclusion, "Zooming With Historians to Reinforce Student Learning" presents a compelling case for the integration of virtual expert interactions into the history curriculum. This innovative teaching method not only revitalizes student interest in the humanities but also enhances their analytical skills, engagement in discussions, and overall learning experience. By fostering direct dialogues between students and historians, educators can create a more dynamic, interactive, and impactful learning environment.

This summary is based on the article by David Cutler, as featured in the detailed URL provided.

Original Article

https://www.edutopia.org/article/zoom-interviews-historians-high-sc...

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Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com