History Classes in Public Schools In Scotland

[northernsky]

One should always study one's own history, if for no other reason than to know where one came from. Wasn't it Paul Gauaghin who asked the three questions: Who am I?, Where did I come from? and Where am I going? You can't know any one of the answers without knowledge of the others. I teach history in Canada. The curriculum isn't terribly interesting, not because history isn't interesting, but because we make the kids learn so many irrelevant 'facts' rather than teaching them to be critical thinkers. It is much more important to understand the 'why' of where we are rather than just the 'how' we got here. The how is important too, but most History courses still focus too much on names and dates.

[SteveB]

It is that lack of history instruction other than the politically filtered version of American History that was dumped on me in school, that has made me interested in the culture of others. History is an important part of ones culture. We X-Markers are all about kilts. We owe it to ourselves to understand the history, the relevant Societal understandings during the kilt's history. While here on the left side of the pond, the kilt has taken two paths. One being the Tartan and kit from the heritage of Scotland. The second is the very popular fashion statement of the self colour variety (Utilikilt, Amerikilt, etc) We can study the history, then decide properly on whether it is worth repeating. Those that do not study first are bound to repeat ALL the errors of the past.
--- Steve

[macwilkin]

One should always study one's own history, if for no other reason than to know where one came from. Wasn't it Paul Gauaghin who asked the three questions: Who am I?, Where did I come from? and Where am I going? You can't know any one of the answers without knowledge of the others. I teach history in Canada. The curriculum isn't terribly interesting, not because history isn't interesting, but because we make the kids learn so many irrelevant 'facts' rather than teaching them to be critical thinkers. It is much more important to understand the 'why' of where we are rather than just the 'how' we got here. The how is important too, but most History courses still focus too much on names and dates.

As a history teacher myself (community college & four-year university) I see what you're saying, but you simply can't have history without some facts. I tend to believe that "good history is a well-told story", and you can trick students into history by disguising critical thinking in the form of storytelling -- but then again, I come from a public history (park ranger at a Civil War battlefield) background. Perhaps if more history teachers were taught to interpret history...

T.

[Freedomlover]

Perhaps if more history teachers were taught to interpret history...

Might it just possibly be that 'interpreting' history is the problem?

[macwilkin]

Might it just possibly be that 'interpreting' history is the problem?

By interpretation I mean how park rangers teach history, sir. Not dry, boring lectures.

T.

[Freedomlover]

By interpretation I mean how park rangers teach history, sir. Not dry, boring lectures.

T.

I understood your point. I had hoped you would understand mine.

[Freedomlover]

I had no intention of impugning the interpretation of history in general. There is certainly a place for it. What I thought I was conveying was the idea that all too often history is 'interpreted' to suit the goals of the interpreter, especially in the classroom. I have on many occasions hired interpreters, especially on Civil War battlefields such as Gettysburg.

If my comment ruffled any feathers I regret it.

[macwilkin]

I had no intention of impugning the interpretation of history in general. There is certainly a place for it. What I thought I was conveying was the idea that all too often history is 'interpreted' to suit the goals of the interpreter, especially in the classroom. I have on many occasions hired interpreters, especially on Civil War battlefields such as Gettysburg.

If my comment ruffled any feathers I regret it.

Okay, I can see what you're saying, and I wasn't too clear in my comments about historic interpretation.

T.