Introduction to PLACE in Massachusetts History
Approach to PLACE from Prof.
Reed Stewart, course Lead Teacher.
The idea behind the course was to assist K-12 teachers
to put history, and other social sciences, in the
context of the places in which events took place (and
are still occurring). That called upon geography as
the discipline which asks where things are and why
things are where they are, and which looks at the
consequences of phenomena being in specific locations.
The Social Science content was the basis of the semester
long study, and the course was aligned with the Massachusetts
Curriculum Frameworks.
Each week guest scholars presented on topics about
which they have special interest and knowledge, during
an hour and a half of interactive television time.
Then the activity switched to the separate campuses
where local discussion enlarged upon the presentations.
Teachers in their site-based activities, began to
put material that was presented during the interactive
video session into content, into specific localities
that are germane to their teaching. For instance,
the question might be asked: "What effect did the
development of industrial water power have on Arlington
and what effect did Arlington have on the development
of water power?"
Underlying or accompanying the content for each session,
and the whole course, were several essential questions
related to Place in Massachusetts History: What happened
(mentally or physically)? Where did it happen? What
peoples were there, then? What was the place like,
then? Why was the place important for that event,
at that time? Why else was that place important, then?
How was that place physically connected to other places?
What was the relevant context in the state, nation,
and world of that event? How is that place connected
to other places, now? What remains of that important
event in that place? What is the importance of that
place, now?
