The document discusses the History Lab, an initiative by Orna Farrell of DCU Connected NIDL that promotes digital historical research skills. The History Lab provides students access to primary sources and online historical resources to develop authentic critical thinking skills needed for historical study. Research shows engaging with primary sources gives students a better understanding of history and increases retention of content. The History Lab blog and video tutorials help guide students to relevant online sources and share their experiences using these digital resources to learn history.

1. The History Lab:
Promoting Digital
Historical Research
Skills
Orna Farrell, orna.farrell@dcu.ie
@orna_farrell
@thehistorylabie

2. Background
•DCU Connected NIDL, DCU
•BA (Hons) Humanities, BA
(Hons) Humanities (Psychology
major), BA (Hons) English &
History
•Flexible/off-campus learners
•Six BA in Humanities history
modules

3. Primary sources & history
•History is the study and interpretation of the
past, and engaging with primary sources is
central to the development of authentic critical
historical thinking. (Wineburg, 1999)

4. Thinking like a historian
Reismans (2012) study found that instruction with
multiple documents increased students’ content
retention and skills with sourcing
Wineburg (2008)”
“How do we use new digital technologies not only to
make sources more available, but also to cultivate skills
that teach students to read and think about these sources
in meaningful ways?”
Tally & Goldenberg (2005) found that “ using primary
documents gives students a sense of the reality and
complexity of the past”
Wineburg (1999) engaging with primary sources is
central to the development of authentic critical
historical thinking

5. https://thehistorylabblog.wordpress.com/
• A-Z Guide of Historical
Online Resources
• Video tutorials
• Add to the A-Z
• Student voices
The History Lab

6. The History Lab
I couldn't believe this tremendous
resource was there - or that I had
lived so long without it. Thanks
you very, very much for it. It
answers questions for which we
just don't have enough tutorials!

7. Thank
You!