The "Big Picture" Model For Learning World History, Or Slipping Between The Rocks And Hard Places

Abstract

Give me a place to stand and I will move the world, Archimedes reputedly boasted. All that the Greek scientist thought he needed to hoist this 6.6 billion, billion ton planet was a firm enough foundation. Many teachers probably think that they could teach world history effectively if they had enough time and space. But just as Archimedes never located that perfect foundation, so teachers have not gained the additional minutes or days they desire. An old line works here: Teachers are stuck between a rock and a hard place that keeps them from moving in new directions or even trying new ways of teaching.

Because world history is a fast growing subject in the history curriculum at all academic levels, we need more good ideas on how to teach this incredibly broad subject effectively. What if faculty approached the subject from a different, yet familiar angle? What if skills development drove the course instead of content delivery? The premise of the "Big Picture" model is to use skills development to teach content. Give me a place to stand and I will move the world, Archimedes reputedly boasted. All that the Greek scientist thought he needed to hoist this 6.6 billion, billion ton planet was a firm enough foundation. Many teachers probably think that they could teach world history effectively if they had enough time and space. But just as Archimedes never located that perfect foundation, so teachers have not gained the additional minutes or days they desire. An old line works here: Teachers are stuck between a rock and a hard place that keeps them from moving in new directions or even trying new ways of teaching. Because world history is a fast growing subject in the history curriculum at all academic levels, we need more good ideas on how to teach this incredibly broad subject effectively. What if faculty approached the subject from a different, yet familiar angle? What if skills development drove the course instead of content delivery? The premise of the "Big Picture" model is to use skills development to teach content.