A Better Way to Teach History | Seth Berkowitz | TEDxArcadiaUniversity

In this talk, Seth discusses how he believes schools and museums can better engage with people to teach them about history. Seth Berkowitz is a Senior at Arcadia University, where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Art in History. Seth’s desire to learn about other cultures led him to study in Stirling, Scotland during his second semester as part of Arcadia’s First Year Study Abroad Experience. On campus, Seth is a hardworking honors student, as well as a member of both the Society for Castle Restoration and the Policy, Legal, and Citizenship Education Association. Outside of college, Seth worked as a curatorial intern at the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@jamescrawford4131]

My biggest issue with this is that it has been using the title of ‘teach history’. Nothing he has said, beyond bringing tablets instead of textbooks (which I agree, are usually outdated very soon after publication due to curriculum changes), relates to history education. He has pointed to ways in which we can promote history to a wider audience, i.e. rolling exhibits in museums, based on current issues and use of social media, which, as a historian (with an MA) and trainee teacher myself, I completely agree with. I feel, however, that this talk has missed the point of what it was supposed to be talking about, ‘teaching history’, there is very little here that hasn’t previously been utilised by teachers. I have seen teachers utilise social media to engage their pupils/students in the subject, I have seen technology used in the history classroom (where the budget allows) and I have seen museums, in the UK, use rolling exhibits and permanent exhibits to ensure they get foot traffic through their doors. I agree that some history teachers are set in their lecture style of teaching, which doesn’t do the subject any favours, however, what this talk should have demonstrated were the teachers who make their classrooms interactive and engaging (which doesn’t necessarily require technology). Having read the gentleman’s description, I would have loved to have heard positive examples from his work with ‘the National Museum of American Jewish History’ and ‘the Society for Castle Restoration’, these first-hand experiences would have made for a much more informative talk (I appreciate that it would be difficult to fit in a 5-minute talk).

[@dannypriest5051]

All I heard was buy iPads and replace old people with young people.

[@lane1776]

Think he's pretty pathetic. " Young" and "tech" I totally hate this dude

[@annagabrielle9174]

That's literally his message. And a good one, albeit is ageist. But he also spent time talking about how to make exhibits and classrooms more relevant and that as a wider group, history professionals need to adapt teaching and research to the times to make it relevant.

[@sch4891]

this was a lovely talk. one way to make history more interesting is to start with a question about the modern world. for example, my history teacher asked us if we have ever wondered why some christians are protestant and some are catholic? we all responded with a yes and then she went on to explain the history of henry VIII. hook the student's curiosity with a question and let history be the answer. also, social history and historical empathy are great way to keep student's attention because it makes the characters more relatable. finally, teach the kids about the difference between reality and propaganda by touching on historical denialism, historical methodology and historiography Basically, CHALLENGE your students. they can take it ;)

[@lane1776]

That was your take away from this lol?

[@TomHuston43]

@@lane1776 What was YOUR "takeaway," Jonathan?

[@mlasko74]

There's something to be said for tech, but being plugged in and consumed 24/7, having your entire construct based into a screen i think is a horrible and depressing prospect.

[@c.k.holliday728]

Like fine wine.

[@Cocopuffs451]

This Aged well.....

[@elizabethl6987]

I think tech actually makes a classroom a much worse place. When I was in school and they had us use chromebooks or tablets, I NEVER absorbed the content as well as when the teacher would just speak to us or give us papers. I think this technology push is only for money and industry, not the best interests of the students.

[@kraaronson]

This is about how to SELL history, not how to TEACH it.

[@MJohnnyN]

Great speaker and great presentation!

[@lordscorch1128]

Some people are not good at public speaking. Case in point.

[@lane1776]

Why he's not a teacher with that history degree he got

[@marlifalize3191]

Tech is not the solution. It depends on the quality of the speaker but also on the quality of the listeners. When you re young it s also useful to listen well first.

[@jacobcourson533]

Engagement does not always equal learning. Wish there was more research behind this.

[@tinakhurana2440]

I am here searching a good history teacher, and found this video... Honestly i really suffering because of my my college history teacher....they are extremely busy and don't have time for us ,and don't describe things in elaborative way...... Being a student of history honour, it is terrible 😔

[@adityajaiswal6082]

Which university?

[@tinakhurana2440]

@@adityajaiswal6082 Delhi University

[@adityajaiswal6082]

@@tinakhurana2440 so.. You must fall in love with the sub.. Wdyt?

[@adityajaiswal6082]

:)

[@francescc5272]

Stick to the academia and leave history teaching for the people who actually do the work

[@vyombharadvaj]

This is so uninteresting ted talk. How’s it gonna make history interesting

[@khushisarathi2542]

It will try it and then see it works best for middle and primary school they like doing online work

[@to6955]

True... so boring lol

[@sumitgpatil]

Likes tells it all....

[@Infamous41]

Teach them whatever there gonna go to KZbin anyways for there real education!!

[@KingEzraNewEra]

I mean is not wrong

[@Fliphistory]

This talk was not interesting at all