Margaret Eckstein

Artifact 4. Teaching with Primary Sources

What is the requirement for this assignment?

My Independent Study project aimed to create a research paper highlighting the importance of using primary sources as educational tools using the History Source project as my case study. I contributed to the History Source project as a volunteer. My tasks included; uploading primary source set assets to the Drupal site, compressing image files in PhotoShop and uploading to site, and creating Google links to developed classroom materials. 

The goals I outlined for myself were: 

  1. I will learn about Information Management in the context of digital records, including organizing, storing, and preserving digital files. (MSIS outcome #1)
  2. I will deepen my understanding of critical professional issues, specifically how archives can better serve the public. (MSIS outcome #5)
  3. I will learn best practices for engaging users with little to no experience using primary sources. (MSIS outcome #4)
  4. To present my case study, I will analyze various sources that compare teaching philosophies using archival collections. (MSIS outcome #9)
What did you do – explain your work.
  1. Create a weekly log documenting my work gathering primary sources, compressing digital files, and uploading compressed files to the MHS Education Portal. 
  2. Create a monthly report of my research progress.
  3. Identify a subset of primary sources and research their historical significance/intellectual value as educational tools. 
  4. Complete a 15-20 page research paper compiling my research using the Massachusetts Historical Society’s (MHS) Education Portal as my case study. 
What skills and competencies this example showcases?

Skills and Competencies: 

  • Skilled in performing detailed research and synthesizing multiple sources of information
  • Proficient with web-based content management systems (Drupal) 
  • Basic understanding of HTML and CSS 

MSIS Learning Outcomes:

  • #1 – Describe and discuss the processes of creation, organization, distribution, storage, access, retrieval, management, use, and preservation of information.
  • #4 – Comply with the changing responsibilities of the information professional in a culturally diverse and networked global society.
  • #5 – Identify critical professional issues in a variety of organizational, cultural, societal, disciplinary, transdisciplinary, and historical contexts.
  • #9 – Analyze research and apply it to information practice.