The Story Being Told: Unpacking Cultural Identity With Local History, Cultural Heritage, and Geographic Information Systems

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 9:50 am Four Seasons Ballroom 4
  In Roundtable Session: Narratives of Place and Purpose: Exploring the Intersection of Local History and Social Studies (Table 1)

Abstract

University researchers collaborated with an ethnic studies teacher in a Texas high school to use geographic information systems (GIS) to design and conduct a multi-phase classroom project investigating public history and constructing students’ personal accounts of their own history, geography, and experiences of culture. This project forms an interpretive case study of this teacher and his students; analysis of students’ final products reveals their use of narrative frames, varying levels of engagement and disclosure, differentiated perspectives on common cultural topics, and expressions of diaspora. This participatory research demonstrates the opportunities of using GIS for engaging in critical and reflective inquiry in social studies.

Authors

• Thomas C. Hammond, Lehigh University

• Richard Curby Alexander, Texas Christian University

• Kristen Appling Brown, Texas Christian University

• Molly Hand Weinburgh, Texas Christian University