Case Study: US Civil War

Case Study: Enhancing 8th Grade History Learning with YourStory

Overview

In December 2024, an 8th-grade history class in Mill Valley piloted YourStory, an innovative education technology platform designed to bring learning to life. The topic of the day was the US Civil War, focusing on the lives and impact of key figures from that period. 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 concept of the US Civil War, emphasizing its historical significance and impact. 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 aspect of the US Civil War to research. Notable topics included key battles, political figures, and personal stories from soldiers and civilians.

Interactive Research with YourStory

Using YourStory, students interacted with AI-generated personas of historical figures and soldiers. The platform allowed students to ask dynamic, open-ended questions such as:

• What was daily life like during the Civil War?
• How did you manage to survive during the war?
• What were the key strategies used in major battles?
• How did the Civil War impact your life after it ended?
• What lessons can we learn from the Civil War?

These interactions provided students with personalized and immersive insights into the experiences and challenges faced during the US Civil War.

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 topic.
• 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 historical figures 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 US Civil War.

Student Feedback

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

• Eye-Opening: Students appreciated the interactive nature of YourStory, finding it more impactful 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 figures 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 the US Civil War 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 20 questions per class, resulting in approximately 600 questions per class. Throughout the day, around 2400 questions were asked in total.

Conclusion

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

Learn more about Confederate soldiers through YourStory lessons: Confederate Soldier.

Learn more about Union soldiers through YourStory lessons: Union Soldier.

Search for more Civil War content: Search for Civil War content.