Core Skills Analysis
History & Technology
- Ebony explored various online family tree websites, gaining initial familiarity with digital genealogy resources.
- She learned to identify different features and functionalities offered by family tree platforms, understanding how people trace ancestry online.
- Ebony developed skills in discerning the reliability and usability of web-based tools related to family history research.
- She practiced critical evaluation by comparing multiple websites, understanding that platforms can vary in approach and data presentation.
Research Skills & Information Literacy
- Ebony practiced navigating web-based resources, improving her ability to search, browse, and locate specific information efficiently.
- She learned to differentiate between different types of online content related to genealogy, such as databases, user interfaces, and collaborative options.
- Ebony improved her evaluative skills by judging which websites best meet certain criteria, such as ease of use or depth of information.
- The activity likely enhanced her understanding of how to cross-check information across multiple sources online.
Tips
To deepen Ebony's understanding of genealogy and technology, encourage her to create a simple family tree using one of the websites she reviewed. She can gather information from family members to add to her tree, blending digital research with personal history. This hands-on creation will make the abstract concepts tangible. Another extension could be comparing the privacy policies and data protection practices of these websites to foster awareness of online safety. For a creative approach, Ebony could write a short narrative or diary from the perspective of an ancestor she discovers or imagines, linking history to storytelling. Finally, discussing how genealogy has evolved with technology over time, perhaps through a timeline project, will connect past and present research methods.
Book Recommendations
- Who Was? The Wright Brothers by Jim Gigliotti: A kid-friendly biography that introduces readers to historical figures and shows how understanding family history connects us to past lives.
- Genealogy Basics In 30 Minutes by Shannon Christmas: An accessible guide for teens interested in starting genealogical research, covering fundamental concepts and tools.
- The Family Tree Toolkit: A Comprehensive Guide to Uncovering Your Ancestry and Researching Genealogy by Angelyn Nelson: A more detailed resource that explains how to use various family history tools, both online and offline, suitable as an introduction to family research.
Learning Standards
- History: Understand changes in national life and society over time (KS3 History - A study of an aspect or theme in British history that consolidates and extends pupils' chronological knowledge - National Curriculum for England, KS3)
- Computing: Understand the opportunities computer networks offer for communication and collaboration (Computing - KS3, National Curriculum for England)
- PSHE: Recognise ways to protect online information and personal data responsibly (National Curriculum for England, KS3)
- English: Develop skills in writing narratives based on research and imaginative engagement (English, KS3 writing skills)
Try This Next
- Create a worksheet to compare features of at least three family tree websites, rating them on usability, features, and privacy.
- Write a short creative story imagining an ancestor's life discovered through online research.