What was the most meaningful and useful for you...

"I will take from the class the knowledge that primary sources can be used in all disciplines. They can provide teachers and students a window into what life was like. Looking at cards, letters, newspaper photos, or even menus provides a more complete picture of a period in time than merely reading reference materials. I will also take a thirst to find new ways to use primary sources and introduce them to other educators.

Each time I use primary sources I am amazed and excited about the level of engagement the students have. Reading a diary of someone who lived before brings shivers. Seeing a map of the town from the 1800’s and recognizing houses is astounding. Primary sources in the digital age have endless possibilities, and this is exciting.

This course allowed my idea about primary sources to grow. At the beginning I thought that history classes were the only place to use primary sources, now I know that primary sources can be used by students of all ages in all disciplines. My idea about where to look for primary sources has also changed. Now I know that primary sources are all around and that we all create primary sources."
~ Elementary Librarian, Blandon, Pennsylvania

"I learned that finding primary sources is not an exotic or difficult undertaking."
~Resource Teacher, New Mexico

"When I thought of primary sources before this course, I had a vague idea of dry, dull information—treaties, science research . . . Instead I found lots of great ways to enrich my curriculum."
~Middle School English Teacher, Wisconsin

"I have gotten my money's worth with this class! I learned so much from the assignments as well as my classmates in our online discussions. This has been one of the most valuable, if not the most valuable, class I've ever taken."
~Elementary Media Specialist, Wisconsin  

"I had worked with primary sources available on the web over the years, however, I was unaware of the incredible amount of newly digitized documents that are out there."
~High School History Teacher, Georgia

"I appreciated your openness and willingness to be responsive to your students." 
~Third Grade Teacher, Wisconsin

"The organization of the course was great and very helpful.  I learned a lot just from what you modeled in our class activities.  I can use it in teaching teachers. . . . . . . . the benefits of total time flexibility, sitting in my pajamas, taking breaks when I needed to, and working at my own pace far outweighed any negatives of online learning. It was money well spent."
~Resource Teacher New Mexico

". . . what comes to mind is something very alliterative; at the end of this course, I feel a sense of being enlightened, enriched, and enthused.. . . More than anything, this class has provided me with the literal key to so many learning treasures.. . . . . I was able to build lessons that I would have never thought of before, and I was able to enhance older lessons with primary sources so that students in my classes are truly able to draw connections between history and literature. I feel that this class fueled an enthusiasm about teaching and learning I have not had in some time"
~ High School English Teacher, Maryland

"As I look back on the initial courses I completed for the 901 Library/Media license, I do not recall any in-depth attention to primary sources. .. what we covered in this course was really the first solid research I have experienced in finding photos, interviews, diaries, music, etc. that came from real people and experiences of the past.

Most students I have worked with have shown no evidence of exposure to these types of resources. This may be somewhat attributed to the dependence on commercially prepared textbooks that make little or no reference to primary sources. Teachers have not been made aware of what is available beyond the obvious lecture/test scenario based on secondary information.

There are so many possibilities for students in exploring their local history through items that have a personal meaning to their families and communities. In the future I will look for ways to connect students to the realities of history, photos, voices, and letters written not by famous authors, but by ordinary people in true life situations. It would seem that almost any subject, lesson plan, artistic endeavor or time period could be examined through primary resources."
~ District Media Director and High School Library Media Specialist, Wisconsin

"My information literacy skills grew tremendously throughout this course. I am more capable of narrowing down my searches and continually thinking of ways to refine my searches to get the results I am after.  I became frustrated, just like the students at school, and when they become frustrated, I always tell them that if they are having difficultly it’s because they are learning something… I’m eating my own words now, but happy to be doing so."
~ Middle School Librarian, Wisconsin

"Last year was plagued by fiascos of plagiarism and poor research skills, far more so than ever before. I’m eagerly hoping that the new list of resources will help students to focus on processing and evaluating the information, rather than sifting good sites from bad. I’m also hoping that exposure to reliable, academic sites such as these will cause them to think twice about other commercially-motivated websites. One of the ways that the course has really changed my thinking is in terms of my expectations for my students’ information literacy skills."
~Latin Teacher, Maryland

"It's amazing that once you KNOW about primary sources, it's the first thing that enters your mind---or at least mine!  I'm constantly asking...'.do you want print resources, database information and primary sources for this research assignment?'  The teachers are nodding 'yes' to the first two questions and then stopping and quizzing me about primary sources...asking me, 'where do you find them???'
 
I'm all abuzz with the information and they are starting to take notice...this class is JUST what I needed to get several groups back into the library asking questions, using books AND the internet in a productive way!" 
~ Media Specialist, Texas

"I have gained more confidence in myself as a teaching professional.  I feel I have the knowledge and the expertise, and, now, the tools to do a better job.  I feel more comfortable navigating my way around the Internet in search of information.

This class was a great learning experience for me and professionally fulfilling.   I appreciate all the help that you provided and the understanding of the problems I faced this summer.  I have thought so often about, and do not understand, why we are not as thoughtful and considerate of our elementary and secondary students when it comes to assignments.  I have been bringing the subject of being a 'kinder, gentler' school to my colleagues lately in hopes of influencing them.  I feel that we should pass the kindness we receive on to others." 
~Resource Teacher, New Mexico

"I loved creating the display. I don't have all the pictures at home but I remember seeing them all when my grandfather passed away in 2002. I kept the hard hat and the tape measure for myself (even when the rest of my family thought they were unimportant), and I had a 5x7 made of my favorite Amoco photo which has my grandfather and eight other men standing together smiling with the oil rigs in the background. What great memories this assignment brought back."
~ Learning Disabilities Teacher St. Paul, Minnesota

"I work in the Wisconsin Heights School District and to my best knowledge there is no curriculum in the middle school on the Battle of Wisconsin Heights.  To give the students a chance to take a virtual tour of the battle and learn about what took place in the battle that their school district was named for we may even take a field trip to where the battle took place. This activity was definitely something I can use with the my students - YEAH!!"

"On Monday I went to the Veterans Museum in Madison and went to the research section and had a research librarian help me look up a few things in the archives.  It was AWESOME.  It was amazing to me that we could actually look at them and touch them.  I was able to find some great things that I can use with my students when we study the Vietnam War."
~ Middle School Librarian