Recognizing the limitations of traditional research assignments, the two authors of this article--one a librarian and one a historian--set out to redesign a history capstone seminar to focus on the research process as much as on the research product: tipping the iceberg to look at what is underneath. The article begins with a brief overview of the…

In this article, the author offers a summary of the major research assignment she has developed for HIST 100, as well as the successes and struggles she has had along the way. The project requires students to experience research as a difficult process that demands their patience, perseverance, and assiduousness. Group work in class clearly plays…

Argues that the Kennedy assassination is an important event for history classroom consideration. Offers ways this event can be examined to develop discussion and research skills. Outlines a possible course syllabus with an extensive bibliography and lists a wide range of materials for teaching a unit on presidential assassination. (RKM)

Describes National History Day, an annual event in which students compete for state and national prizes awarded for the quality of their self-selected historical research projects. Evaluates the contest as an educational program, suggesting some implications it has for the teaching of history in the schools. Describes various student experiences…

Describes how the author's opinion of contests for students changed from generally negative to overwhelmingly positive after he had experience with them. Recounts his experiences with the contests and describes the projects entered by his history students. Concludes that contests can work well in motivating students to write research papers. (AEM)

Describes a strategy to teach research skills using U.S. census data and microcomputers. Outlines a data-entry system which can be used to verify large amounts of information. States that students will be able to learn commands for more complicated manipulation of data. May be used with any good relational database software package. (KO)