HistoryThen vs Now

Kevin Murphy

Topic

The curriculums in schools are always evolving. Especially in history because the answers seem to always to be changing somewhat. This is because of how new material is always being uncovered by historians. I want to look at the differences in curriculums between back in the early 1900’s and now.

When Subjects are taught today

9th grade- Modern World History

10th grade- Geography

11th grade- US history

12th grade- civics or government

When History courses were taught then

Kansas History Today

Education today evolved from more factual learning to abstract learning.

For example in todays education kids in high school history may be asked:

With the information we’ve learned about John Brown would you say that he is a terrorist? Explain your answer.

This type of question encourages and evaluation of all the information they have learned.

Kansas History back then

In the early 1900’s kids were asked much more factual questions.

US History Today

Today in US history we encourage more abstract thought as well.

US history today is more abstract in thinking constantly questioning what happened and if it was right. It’s not as simple as just drawing on the facts teachers want students to dig deeper. The facts are important but theirs also an empahasis on opinions. This is possibly why students write so many papers/do so many projects for history.

The US history courses today also go into great depth on both the World Wars. Those hadn’t happened yet in the primary resources used.

US History Back Then

World History Today

World Today covers a wide variety of topics and asks kids to learn a little about each of them. This is partially because since 1904 we have had 2 world wars.

World history today focuses more on 1300-1950

It covers more of a broad area of topics and less depth

World History Back Then

Geography today

Geography today teaches more about the people and places. Rather than just the lay out of the land and maps.

This means societies are taught more about such as the aborigines in Australia.

It breaks these societies apart by continent.

Geography Back Then

Geography Back Then

Government Now

Government today is focused on how it is structured with current events. Classes today discuss what that section of government does and relate it to current events.

Government Back Then

Government is probably the area in social studies that has changed the least. Minus the Subject matter because the government is constantly making new laws and acts.

The Major Differences

In today’s history classes kids are told to think more abstractly. Whether it be digging deeper into a question, looking at the event from different angles, or relating it to current events kids have evolved in their learning.

Back then it was more factual learning and memorization. They wanted kids to know precise facts and when things occurred.

citations

McPherson County Historical Archives. [ca. 1900’s].

Archives at the Old Mill Museum, Lindsborg, KS.

Stephenson, Sam C. Kansas State Eighth Grade Examination Question Book. 4th ed.

Throckmorton, Adel F. Kansas Secondary School Handbook. 1952.

http://www.ksde.org/Agency/DivisionofLearningServices/CareerStandardsandAssessmentServices/ContentAreaF-L/History,Government,andSocialStudies.aspx