The Historical Scene Investigation (HSI) Project: Facilitating Historical Thinking with Web-Based, Digital Primary Source Documents
Abstract: Recent research in the teaching and learning of history advocates instructional approaches that engage students in the process of “doing history,” including building historical knowledge through the use of primary sources and conducting historical inquiry. At the same time, there has been a recent proliferation of online archives of historic documents that can be used by social studies teachers. However, the use of these “cybraries” often requires large amounts of time, a precious resource to most K-12 teachers. The Historical Scene Investigation (HSI) project is an attempt to bridge the potential of web-based digital resources with an instructional model to facilitate their use in K-12 classroom. The HSI project uses the metaphor of a crime scene investigation to guide students to analyze selected primary source documents to “solve a case”. The HSI model includes four steps for students to follow, and a section for teachers who wish to implement such projects.