Case Study: Abolitionists

Case Study: Enhancing 8th Grade History Learning with YourStory

Overview

In December 2023, an 8th-grade history class in Mill Valley piloted YourStory, an innovative education technology platform designed to bring historical learning to life. The topic of the day was abolitionists, a pivotal group in the fight against slavery in 19th-century America. This case study highlights how YourStory transformed a traditional classroom into an engaging, interactive learning environment.

Classroom Experience

Teacher Introduction

The lesson began with the teacher introducing the historical context of abolitionists, emphasizing their crucial role in American history. The teacher then introduced the YourStory platform, demonstrating how to log in, navigate the interface, and access the content.

Student Assignments

Each student was assigned a specific abolitionist figure to research. Notable figures included Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, William Lloyd Garrison, and Sojourner Truth.

Interactive Research with YourStory

Using YourStory, students interacted with AI-generated personas of their assigned abolitionists. The platform allowed students to ask dynamic, open-ended questions such as:

• Who are you, and what is your background?
• How did you become an abolitionist?
• What actions did you take to advance the abolitionist cause?
• Where did you find the courage to fight for justice?
• How do you feel about your legacy and achievements?

These interactions provided students with personalized and immersive insights into the lives and motivations of these historical figures.

Using the YourStory Sourcing Tool

To validate the information received from the AI-generated personas, students used the YourStory Sourcing tool. This tool allowed them to find credible sources and references that supported the responses they received. Students were able to:

• Search for articles, journals, and publications related to their abolitionist figure.
• Cross-reference the AI responses with real-world data.
• Compile a list of sources to include in their final reports.

This process not only enhanced their research skills but also taught them the importance of verifying information.

Class Discussion

After engaging individually with their abolitionist characters and using the Sourcing tool, students reconvened for a class discussion. Each student shared key learnings and reflections on their interactions and the sources they found. This collaborative exchange deepened the collective understanding of the abolitionist movement.

Student Feedback

The feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive. Many described the experience as:

• Fun and Engaging: Students appreciated the interactive nature of YourStory, finding it more enjoyable than traditional textbooks.
• Easy to Use: The intuitive design of the platform allowed students to focus on learning rather than navigating technology.
• Insightful: The personalized interactions with historical characters provided a deeper understanding of the material compared to conventional learning methods.
• Informative: The Sourcing tool helped students learn how to validate information and find credible sources.

Teacher Insights

The teacher observed that students were more engaged and enthusiastic about the topic than in previous lessons using standard materials. The ability to explore history through a first-person perspective seemed to foster a stronger emotional connection to the subject matter.

Impact on Learning

YourStory facilitated a meaningful learning experience by:

• Promoting active, inquiry-based learning.
• Encouraging students to think critically and empathetically about historical events.
• Supporting diverse learning styles with an interactive, character-driven approach.
• Teaching students the importance of verifying information through credible sources.

Quantitative Results

Each student asked about 30 questions per class, resulting in approximately 900 questions per class. Throughout the day, around 4000 questions were asked in total.

Conclusion

This case study demonstrates the potential of YourStory to revolutionize history education by making it more interactive, engaging, and personalized. By integrating technology and storytelling, YourStory helps students not only learn history but also connect with it on a deeper level.