Article

Thoughts on Creative Teaching in the Undergraduate Classroom

Authors

Jeffrey Shepherd, University of Texas at El PasoFollow

Publication Date

January 2007

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Perspectives on History: The Newsmagazine of the American Historical Association

Abstract

This article discusses several innovative approaches to teaching U.S. History in undergraduate classrooms. It argues that history teachers can engage students in dialogues about the past if they use more interactive forms of pedagogy. Role-playing, historical re-enactment, debate, and other creative formats will simultaneously enrich the classroom experience and strengthen students critical thinking and writing skills. Teachers interested in content do not have to sacrifice "the facts" for dynamic and stimulating--even exciting--approaches to U.S. history.