Following mid-term and mock exams, the Pre-IB and IBDP History students took a trip to the Rijksmuseum to practice their source analysis relating to the 20th century. In groups, students worked with the Rijksmuseum Historical Curator to investigate particular objects relating to WWII, the interwar period, and the 20th century.
Each group was assigned one specific object and worked together to analyse its origin, purpose, content, values, and limitations. This source analysis skill is extremely valuable to thinking critically about history, as well as being a realistic application of IB History skills. Following this analysis, each group compared and contrasted the events surrounding their object to one within their own country’s history. This allowed for the students to connect potentially unrelated events and time periods, demonstrating a collective history rather than isolated situations.
Finally, each group presented their object and analysis to the whole group, following up with questions from the historical curator. This allowed for students to develop their ability to collaborate and speak with confidence.
Eerde’s history department looks forward to continuing to develop the partnership with the Rijksmuseum in order to give students more opportunities to enhance their practical critical thinking skills, all while connected to the IB curriculum!
