Closely examining primary sources and their archives-generated metadata in order to be able to identify and prove errors in a description.
Correct me!
Recommended Duration:
One full class session.
Objective:
Identify and apply the contextual information provided in finding aids.
Outcome:
Students will be able to identify and prove errors in provided metadata through close examination of the resources and their finding aids. They will feel greater comfort in recognizing mistakes coming from a source with academic authority, and supporting their corrections with evidence and citations.
Activity
Students will be presented with written descriptions of resources, all of which will have errors. They will be asked to examine the resources and their finding aids in order to correct the descriptions, with evidence to support corrections. After time to examine some of the resources provided, the group will reconvene to discuss each resource in turn, and as a group, revise the descriptions to be more accurate based on their evidence.
If humans are involved, there is always bias and a risk of error!
Students can use primary source evidence to back up arguments, even if they already know the answer from prior experience. Prior knowledge can help, but is not required.
Standards (based on Guidelines for Primary Source Literacy):
- Identify and communicate information found in primary sources, including summarizing the content of a source and identifying and reporting key components such as how it was created, by whom, when, and what it is. (GPSL 3B)
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