College history courses are declining in popularity. Approaches to improving history teaching include behavioral objectives, consideration of student learning rates, inquiry teaching, focus on local history and technology, and relevance to present and future. Available from: Division of Social Sciences, Emporia Kansas State College, Emporia,…

Problems of college survey courses in history are reviewed. Traditional approaches which stress lecture and discussion overwhelm students with content. A recently developed method, Personalized System of Instruction, is described as a way of making history courses manageable and interesting for both students and teachers. For journal availability,…

The author describes five key components of the Personalized System of Instruction and relates his successful experience using the method in teaching college-level Black American history to American servicemen stationed in West Germany. For journal availability, see SO 505 438. (AV)

Effects of the Personalized System of Instruction in two history courses at Colorado State University in 1973 and 1975 are discussed. The article contains summary data of student attitudes toward the method, results of unannounced follow-up testing one semester later, and a review of inconveniences created by the method. For journal availability,…

The authors discuss positive and negative implications of learning contracts for classroom oriented programs. They show how themes and purposes can be organized within learning contracts, using examples from courses at Empire State College in New York. For journal availability, see SO 505 438. (Author/AV)

Recording history is a valuable learning technique in studying immigration or ethnic history. At the University of Missouri in Saint Louis, students develop a questionnaire and then interview first-generation immigrants as well as American-born descendants. Tapes and transcriptions are added to the campus archives. For journal availability, see SO…

Presents comments on student alienation from the educational system in general and from history instruction in particular. Emphases are on the relationships between class cultures, school cultures, and family cultures. Concludes that history teachers must reexamine content as well as teaching methods. Journal available from Loren E. Pennington,…

Identifies trends in teaching local history on the college level, including quantative studies, urban history, and redefinition of historical movements. Maintains that local history should be included in the college curriculum because it is a valuable discipline, helps integrate historical knowledge into the mainstream of society, and encourages…

Discusses how examination of buildings as historical evidence can help students in college level history courses understand culture. Teaching methods are suggested, including walking tours, analyzing physical appearance of buildings, describing spaces between buildings, and examining buildings' ownership and occupancy patterns. Journal…

Identifies and describes testing options available to history teachers. Tests discussed include essay, objective, true-false, multiple choice, identification, take-home, oral, and fill-in. Tips are presented to aid teachers in developing tests which are valid, reliable, and fair. Journal availability: see SO 507 033. (DB)

Suggests that history teachers can increase student interest in United States history courses by using a biographical approach to teaching about individuals from many areas of American life. Surveys literary works and textbooks which lend themselves to incorporation into history courses. Journal availability: see SO 507 033. (DB)

College teachers of history can use science fiction to help students understand historical concepts. A seminar at the University of Tulsa used futuristic literature to provide a broader perspective on the present and the past. Available from: Loren E. Pennington, Division of Social Sciences, Emporia State University, 1200 Commercial, Emporia,…

Describes how a role playing exercise can be used to teach students in a college level history course about the use of the atomic bomb in World War II. Information is presented on general use of role playing in history courses, objectives, questions to consider about use of the atomic bomb, and course evaluation. For journal availability, see so…

Describes the process of preparing an innovative textbook on English history. The textbook stresses richness of England's history and society in addition to politics and foreign affairs. For journal availability, see so 506 696. (DB)

Secondary and college level American textbooks should include information about minority groups, particularly Mexican-Americans. Surveys history textbooks with regard to their treatment of the Mexican American minority. For journal availability, see so 506 696. (DB)