Chris+Vietnam+Response




 * Public Opinion on Long Island about the Vietnam War: **
 * A School Year Project Using Local Sources and Perspectives in the Classroom and in Student Research Papers **


 * By Charles Howlett **

In summary, the author’s key ideas were the validity of using primary source research for High School Students, methodology and results. In this article, Charles Howlett tasked his students to conduct community based research on the Vietnam War and its effects on Long Island. The teacher went into great depth in facilitating this project for High School Students by providing parameters and product deadlines. Students were given techniques and deadlines for research, interviews and papers due. The audience for this literacy project was the entire class; regardless of ability and aptitude. The results of these year-long projects were that students were given stronger tools for critical historical analysis and research. Additionally, they were more eager to present their findings in front of class and on paper.

The methodology and break-up of the project really stood out as the most important part of this article. The authors’ commitment to learning, literacy and critical thinking manifested itself in the collaboration with many colleges and non-academic resources. The question raised is the applicability of this model in a more tightly controlled environment. I am not sure if most teachers would be able to logistically achieve this outside a major metropolitan area. I would like to ask the author if he need to make accommodations for students with disabilities for this project.

I would use this research focused project in my own teaching to provide students with more tools for future life endeavors. Research is a critical task for any person to learn; even if students do not continue beyond high school. Many of the techniques discussed could have been used by the Social Studies Practicum class used by Carol Rossi-Fries.