3 answers
sam
Student
Oak Harbor, Ohio
7
Questions
Updated
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History Teachers: How do you stay current with new research and developments in history?
what are the sources you use to get most of your knowledge of history?
10th grade, interested in us, and world history. I want to go to bgsu or terra in Ohio to be a history major.
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3 answers
Edward Hendrickson
Analyst
2
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Edward’s Answer
Read, read, read! Professional historians always have their nose in a book. I usually look for books from a university press so I know I'm getting academic quality, but there are also many wonderful works of history written for nonspecialists that you can find at a local bookstore.
You might try seeking out flagship journals in your subfield of history - the American Historical Review would be a good place to start. You might run into paywalls trying to access academic articles, but if there's something you're really interested in reading, you can try reaching out to one of the lead authors - they sometimes send you a PDF. Other options include looking at your local library.
A good trick to get up to speed on a topic is to search for syllabi from university courses on the subject. They will list high-quality articles and books organized by theme, and sometimes you'll even find discussion questions.
You might try seeking out flagship journals in your subfield of history - the American Historical Review would be a good place to start. You might run into paywalls trying to access academic articles, but if there's something you're really interested in reading, you can try reaching out to one of the lead authors - they sometimes send you a PDF. Other options include looking at your local library.
A good trick to get up to speed on a topic is to search for syllabi from university courses on the subject. They will list high-quality articles and books organized by theme, and sometimes you'll even find discussion questions.
Daima Machang'u MD, MPH, MCHGC
Research Officer
2
Answers
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Updated
Daima’s Answer
Try using peer-reviewed history journals for more reliable information. This will boost your confidence when discussing historical events by providing you with authentic facts. Reading history books is also a great option.
Jerry Tingstad
Professor/middle school teacher/48 years
161
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jerry’s Answer
Edward's answer is the place to start, especially the "read, read, read".
Of course I do not have knowledge of your background, but mine? I have always been interested in history and was lucky to have an extensive history course in 6th grade (back in the days where that grade was the last in grade school). Plus frequenting my local library where I tended to concentrate on the American Civil War, both in fact and in historical novels.
At university I minored in history, and have constantly read history books and historical novels all of my life (and I'm now "near ancient").
In addition, I found myself teaching a two year modern European history course in a middle school to students with English as a second language. For that I had to do additional research and always, always, give examples or stories related to historical events. A lot of work, though it isn't work if the discipline tends to consume one.
So first? Take a good look at yourself and decide if you really want to make a commitment, or just go "by the numbers", get a degree and... what?
But only you can answer that.
Of course I do not have knowledge of your background, but mine? I have always been interested in history and was lucky to have an extensive history course in 6th grade (back in the days where that grade was the last in grade school). Plus frequenting my local library where I tended to concentrate on the American Civil War, both in fact and in historical novels.
At university I minored in history, and have constantly read history books and historical novels all of my life (and I'm now "near ancient").
In addition, I found myself teaching a two year modern European history course in a middle school to students with English as a second language. For that I had to do additional research and always, always, give examples or stories related to historical events. A lot of work, though it isn't work if the discipline tends to consume one.
So first? Take a good look at yourself and decide if you really want to make a commitment, or just go "by the numbers", get a degree and... what?
But only you can answer that.