Archival blog

Read the instructions carefully!!!! Task: 1,500 word case study blog (50%) Detailed guidance You are asked to identify, select and present an artefact which illustrates a case study of a progressive approach to education in the past or an example of alternative educational thinking in the past that challenged dominant discourses. An artefact is an object, made and produced by humans, that is of cultural or historical interest. Your artefact must explicitly illuminate or explain at least one of the three key module themes: Personhood Democracy and Community Other Ways of Knowing You should find an image(s) of a historical artefact that illuminates one of these themes. In practice, and to give you some concrete ideas, this image may be: book(s) cover(s) or selected text or images from a book; an article(s) from a newspaper; a still from a film; image(s) of pedagogical tool(s) or activities (for example a progressive classroom, camping activity etc.); building(s) or site(s) (a school, playground, forest school, youth club or similar setting). This list is not exhaustive but is designed to give you some ideas. The final submission date for this assignment is Monday 6 November at 11.59 am (UK time). The assessment window will be open for 2 weeks before this date if you wish to submit early. Please note that the assignment will not be marked until after the final submission date. There will be an opportunity to submit a formative assignment - see following page. We will be looking at examples of blogs from previous years during the seminar in week 3. Finding images and artefacts The module resource list includes a number of online sites where you can identify appropriate artefacts so have a look at that first. You do not have to use one of these sites they are just there to get you started and give some ideas. You can also check out the following below. Creative Commons is the maker of the CC licensesLinks to an external site. used over 1.4 billion times to help creators share knowledge and creativity online. The Library of Congress (Washington, USA) Links to an external site.- an extensive collection of public domain digital images that are searchable by subject. The Historical Photographs of China ProjectLinks to an external site. (based at the University of Bristol). The British Library’s collections on Flickr CommonsLinks to an external site. offer access to millions of public domain images, which you can re-useLinks to an external site.. As stated above, you do not have to use one of these suggested sites. You are encouraged to find and use alternative sites. However, you must ensure that the images are public domain, that you can re-use them and that you know how to appropriately acknowledge the source or creator of the image. You must cite the source of your artefact with a caption or in the reference list. Please ask for advice if you are unsure about this aspect. Or you might choose to use something you see and photograph or already have in your possession. You must select at least one image of your artefact and a maximum of four to use in your blog. The artefact (and associated image(s)) you choose should have the potential to illuminate one of the blogging themes. In this context illuminate means to show and explain and, more specifically, you should assess the extent to which your artefact allows you to write about: where your chosen artefact were being used/stored/circulated how your chosen artefact were being used/stored/circulated/ why your chosen artefact is important or significant. with what consequences Writing your blog Ensure that you: a. Describe what it is. b. Describe where and when it was produced, circulated and used. c. Explain why it was produced and interpret its significance for your chosen blogging theme. Remember that your writing should make clear how your chosen artefact represents a progressive approach or an alternative way of thinking in the past. You should demonstrate your understanding by drawing on: major module theme(s) relevant explanatory concepts d. You should reference your blog using normal academic conventions but please note the following: You may embed hyperlinks. This can help the reader identify the materials you have drawn on. Use a maximum of two references per paragraph. (WordPress is a visual medium and we do not want you to clog the text with excessive referencing). You should provide a references list at the end. This should reference only those texts cited in the blog post. (The reference list does not count towards the overall word count). Writing a blog is not the same as writing academic essays. Think about: Structure: A bog post is often described as an inverted pyramid in which you start by outlining your argument and then substantiating (or evidencing and explaining) Image from: Blogging for HistoriansLinks to an external site. Style: Use short punchy sentences. Like this. Aim to inform and educate an interested but non-specialist audience. Voice: this is a less formal kind of writing. Try to express your authorial voice by reflecting on the artefact(s) and its significance. Informed judgement, speculation and empathy are all welcome. But do not rant. Embed hyperlinks. This can help the reader identify the materials you have drawn on or to show contemporary relevance. Referencing: Use a maximum of two references per paragraph. (WordPress is a visual medium and we do not want you to clog the text with excessive referencing). You should provide a references list at the end. This should reference only those texts cited in the blog post. (The reference list does not count towards the overall word count).