Experiencing the Past

Teaching Public History with Impactful Collaborations

Abstract

By collaborating with public history entities and applying Kolb's Experiential Learning Model in my public history classes, I developed meaningful hands-on learning experiences for my students. Field trips, reflective discussions, label writing, and exhibition development allowed my students to learn first-hand about the work of public historians while contributing to the needs of their community. These opportunities made public history come alive for my students while they gained a meaningful understanding of the field and their own potential.