Incorporating Archaeology into Incorporating Archaeology into the Classroomthe Classroom

““Now that I have recovered my sanity Now that I have recovered my sanity after such an exhaustive project, I after such an exhaustive project, I count the Archaeology course among count the Archaeology course among the most rewarding experiences of my the most rewarding experiences of my career. . . but regardless of whether career. . . but regardless of whether they were ultimately turned on or off by they were ultimately turned on or off by the field, I think all the students would the field, I think all the students would agree that archaeology is an effective agree that archaeology is an effective way to study history. . .” Matt way to study history. . .” Matt Glendinning, teacherGlendinning, teacher

This study will be used to measure student’s This study will be used to measure student’s enthusiasm for learning history.enthusiasm for learning history.

The study may also be used in the future as The study may also be used in the future as part of another effort to implement a part of another effort to implement a

program in Hamilton County based on an program in Hamilton County based on an award-winning program based in South award-winning program based in South

Georgia.Georgia.

The focus of my The focus of my research to research to measure students’ measure students’ enthusiasm for enthusiasm for history by history by incorporating incorporating archaeology into archaeology into the classroom.the classroom.

It is hoped that this study It is hoped that this study will:will:

Increase student’s interest in historyIncrease student’s interest in history Better help students retain historical Better help students retain historical

contentcontent Increase student’s appreciation for Increase student’s appreciation for

diverse culturesdiverse cultures Develop a deeper appreciation in Develop a deeper appreciation in

students for protecting our cultural students for protecting our cultural resourcesresources

My research questions are:My research questions are:

Will incorporating archaeology into Will incorporating archaeology into the classroom increase students the classroom increase students enthusiasm for learning history?enthusiasm for learning history?

Will the hands-on method of Will the hands-on method of archaeology lead to a better archaeology lead to a better retention of historical content, retention of historical content, especially and most importantly in especially and most importantly in the long term?the long term?

How do students benefit? For How do students benefit? For students, archaeology isstudents, archaeology is

An adventure that An adventure that provides rich provides rich opportunities in all opportunities in all areas of learningareas of learning

A mystery-laden A mystery-laden experience that experience that requires requires imagination, imagination, creativity, and logic.creativity, and logic.

How do teachers benefit?How do teachers benefit?Teachers who include Teachers who include

archaeology in their curricula archaeology in their curricula discover that it isdiscover that it is A way to teach A way to teach

critical thinking skillscritical thinking skills InterdisciplinaryInterdisciplinary Conducive to small Conducive to small

groups and groups and cooperative learningcooperative learning

Culturally aware and Culturally aware and culturally sensitiveculturally sensitive

SubjectsSubjects

I anticipate that the subjects will be I anticipate that the subjects will be from area middle and high schools, from area middle and high schools, and will come from all socio-and will come from all socio-economic levels.economic levels.

All necessary ethical precautions will All necessary ethical precautions will be taken.be taken.

Those affected by the study Those affected by the study include:include:

StudentsStudents TeachersTeachers Parents Parents The community at large.The community at large.

Resources necessary to Resources necessary to complete the study:complete the study:

For a virtual dig, a computer can be used.For a virtual dig, a computer can be used. For the actual dig, I anticipate grant For the actual dig, I anticipate grant

money will be used for funding the entire money will be used for funding the entire project.project.

Procedures for conducting the Procedures for conducting the study:study:

I will give a pre- and post questionnaire I will give a pre- and post questionnaire based on measuring student’s enthusiasm based on measuring student’s enthusiasm for learning history by incorporating for learning history by incorporating archaeology into the classroom.archaeology into the classroom.

I will conduct a virtual dig based on a I will conduct a virtual dig based on a model designed by teacher David Cooper model designed by teacher David Cooper that students will carry out.that students will carry out.

I will measure enthusiasm by observation I will measure enthusiasm by observation and by questionnaire results.and by questionnaire results.

DataData

Based on teacher Based on teacher comments, I comments, I anticipate anticipate enthusiasm to rise enthusiasm to rise immediately and immediately and stay high after stay high after implementing implementing archaeology into archaeology into the classroom.the classroom.

0

5

10

15

20

25

1stQtr

2ndQtr

3rdQtr

4thQtr

East

West

North

Reliability and validity of Reliability and validity of datadata

The questionnaire was re-worded on The questionnaire was re-worded on the recommendations of a teacher the recommendations of a teacher who used the same method on her who used the same method on her students while implementing her students while implementing her “Archaeology in the Classroom “Archaeology in the Classroom project.”project.”

The study could lead to a The study could lead to a county-wide program such as county-wide program such as

the one in Glynn County, the one in Glynn County, GeorgiaGeorgia The program has The program has

been such a local been such a local success that an success that an adjoining county adjoining county (St. Mary’s) is (St. Mary’s) is implementing their implementing their own program.own program.

This study will definitely increase This study will definitely increase enthusiasm, which will positively affect the enthusiasm, which will positively affect the school, colleagues and impact the “culture” school, colleagues and impact the “culture”

of the school.of the school.

“Sandy. . .the students LOVE learning this “Sandy. . .the students LOVE learning this way! Authentic projects, activities; learning way! Authentic projects, activities; learning is the BEST! is the BEST! They remember this stuff for They remember this stuff for

the rest of their lives.the rest of their lives. I only wish we would I only wish we would create authentic experiences for every create authentic experiences for every grade level!”grade level!” Debbie Phillips, teacher, Debbie Phillips, teacher, Oglethorpe Elementary School, Glynn Oglethorpe Elementary School, Glynn

County, GeorgiaCounty, Georgia

““Sandy, thanks for giving me an Sandy, thanks for giving me an opportunity to praise the archaeology opportunity to praise the archaeology

program in Glynn County. I'm finishing my program in Glynn County. I'm finishing my 23rd year of teaching,23rd year of teaching, and of all the new and of all the new programs I have been introduced to programs I have been introduced to over the years, archaeology is by far over the years, archaeology is by far

the best for teaching a mixture of the best for teaching a mixture of math, social studies, science, and math, social studies, science, and

Language art skillsLanguage art skills……

. . .It is possible to teach any type or . . .It is possible to teach any type or period of history through archaeology. period of history through archaeology. Students really have a desire to want Students really have a desire to want

to learn more about history during to learn more about history during and after archaeology. Many use the and after archaeology. Many use the computer to enrich their learning or computer to enrich their learning or

even go to different historical periods even go to different historical periods to find out more. It is such a great link to find out more. It is such a great link

to ancient history… to ancient history…

. . .As far as test scores, our students . . .As far as test scores, our students do well on the social studies part of do well on the social studies part of the CRCT. I feel they have a much the CRCT. I feel they have a much

better understanding of the Colonial better understanding of the Colonial period after studying period after studying

archaeology. . .” Trisha Perry, archaeology. . .” Trisha Perry, teacher, Oglethorpe Elementary teacher, Oglethorpe Elementary School, Glynn County, Georgia.School, Glynn County, Georgia.