Why do primary sources offer unique inquiry-based learning opportunities?
- Offer an object to look at and refer to.
Learners can point to the things that they see in the source. Digital primary sources can be enlarged and cropped to look closely at one section at a time. Students can go on to conduct research or read a textbook and then return to the primary source to use their new learning to see more details in the source.
- Connect to personal experiences.
Learners relate to primary sources on a variety of levels. Perhaps the relationship is as simple as the learner has taken a picture or written a letter, the learner may have visited the location where the primary source was created, or the source may connect with learner background knowledge about the subject or time period when the source was created. The first impulse that a learner has when looking at a primary source is connect what they see to their previous experiences. Making connections to previous knowledge and experiences is one of the most important factors in successful learning.
- Raise curiosity.
Primary sources are fragments of life that have survived. Whether the source is a picture, letter, map, sound recording, or oral history, the source does not come to the learner with an interpretation. Primary sources inspire questions such as: “What is this?” “Why was it made?” and “What might this tell me?”. Primary sources are real mysteries that learners with all levels of expertise can solve.
- Have multiple meanings.
The past is constantly being interpreted in new ways as discoveries are made. Primary sources may support multiple and novel interpretations. Because there is no one correct answer students are required to justify their thinking and use their own knowledge and experiences to develop unique interpretations of the primary source.
- Relate to multiple subjects.
Our experiences in life are not neatly divided into subject such as Science, Math, Music, Social Studies, and Language Arts. Rather our experiences usually relate in some ways to many subjects. Since primary sources are fragments from real life, the sources usually relate to many subjects. Learners may use their expertise in a particular subject to interpret and see details in a primary source. The same source maybe referred to in many subjects.
- Require reflection and making connections.
Learners can refer back to the same primary sources many times to find new discoveries. Just one quick glance at a source won’t be enough for a learner. Learners will need to revisit and think about what they see in a primary source. This thinking process encourages learners to reflect on their understanding or a topic and make connections between their knowledge and experiences.