topic Re: Does it seem appropriate for teachers to use Ancestry in class? in Community Chat

Does it seem appropriate for teachers to use Ancestry in class?

Sooner — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 14:55:47 GMT

I got something today from Ancestry that said With AncestryClassroom™, more than 7 million students now have access to historical records as well as resources developed to help them learn about themselves and the world around them.

They did say that parents should give permission to looki into family backgrounds but if not use impotant historical figures. . .

To me this seems totally inappropriate for classrooms. Teach history. Seems to focus on who kids are and not on the kids as individuals. Some kids have enough trouble getting away from family issues as it is. And even if they use historical figures, it's looking at a touchy subject area for some kids.

Re: Does it seem appropriate for teachers to use Ancestry in class?

new nickname 4 — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 15:37:50 GMT

I've been a firm proponent for teaching the basics, and making sure that the children are learning them. Maybe teaching something more by the time they are upper classmen in HS can keep them entertained, but they need to be taught how to survive on their own once they graduate.

Re: Does it seem appropriate for teachers to use Ancestry in class?

millieshops — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 15:14:14 GMT

@Sooner I have no dog in the race as to whether the materials are appropriate or whether teachers even have any time to use them.

I do know that one of the sadnesses of my life is that by the time I became seriously enough interestedly in the details of my grandparents and great grands, there's no one left who knows morer than I do.

I can't blame anyone - I heard snippets here and there, but only recently have I realized how little I remember. Of course, computers have changed the ancestry landscape completely. I have family documents that date back to the late 1800's - just not enough info there to tell me what I hadn't heard at home.

I am encouraging the generations younger than mine (3 now that are old enough to use Ancestry) to start exploring now. I know they need to do it. Just this summer, the son of a first cousin named his son to honor someone in his wife's family, having no idea his own mother and he also were related to a man with that name!

Re: Does it seem appropriate for teachers to use Ancestry in class?

Laura14 — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 15:17:29 GMT

I really don't see the difference between looking a historical figure up on ancestry or taking a field trip to the natural history museum or other historical landmark.

But I would hesitate on the individual personal histories for a whole host of reasons including children who may not have the information to even start a search such as those who are adopted or may come from surrogacy, blended families, etc.

Nice to see the educators are looking for more unique ways to engage the kids though.

Re: Does it seem appropriate for teachers to use Ancestry in class?

Janey2 — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 15:31:56 GMT

No. There are lots of reasons why not, but the main reason I see. Is that People who have no reason to gather information about you are now using Ancestry to get information that should be kept private. Our children are way down on the list of educated well in the world. How about teaching the basics so when they go out in the world they have good skills.

Re: Does it seem appropriate for teachers to use Ancestry in class?

ThinkingOutLoud — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 15:46:20 GMT

I think it's a great idea!

- maybe looking at old documents will spark their interest in history

- maybe looking at old documents will help them see the art in cursive writing

- maybe they'll come across someone they want to emulate

- maybe learning about someone in their family will build character (ie reading an account that required courage/compassion/sacrifice can be empowering)

- one of the problems of today is that too many don't know who they are/have a sense of family and this could help with that

- it would be a plus if more understood that we're all connected

Every family has good and bad but ignoring the good to avoid the bad seems foolish.

To me, anything that expands their thinking beyond their small view is a good thing.

Re: Does it seem appropriate for teachers to use Ancestry in class?

gertrudecloset — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 15:50:07 GMT

Yes it is INAPPROPRIATE for History Teachers to be using Ancestry and other sites like it to find out family structure data. Has nothing to do with history.

There will be some children who will not find any useful data. How will those children feel amongst their peers. This is an undertaking that should be done by the family. Loved ones working together, gathering information from the elders of their families to do the research.

This is something that is extremely rewarding for a family with several generations still intact. This does NOT belong in a class room.

Teach History; YES. Teach the TRUTH about History YES. Not Geneaology.

Re: Does it seem appropriate for teachers to use Ancestry in classIt

eadu4 — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 16:08:51 GMT

@gertrudecloset Perfectly said. Agree 100%. What they are calling "personal history" is genealogy. There are things that are not told to children in a family for a reason. Genealogy should be taught by the parents not the teacher. That's way too much personal info on a child. Some things need to be kept within the family. A child with a less than happy family, family history will definitely not appreciate this assignment.

Re: Does it seem appropriate for teachers to use Ancestry in classIt

gertrudecloset — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 16:09:59 GMT

@eadu4 wrote:
@gertrudecloset Perfectly said. Agree 100%. What they are calling "personal history" is genealogy. There are things that are not told to children in a family for a reason. Genealogy should be taught by the parents not the teacher. That's way too much personal info on a child. Some things need to be kept within the family. A child with a less than happy family, family history will definitely not appreciate this assignment.

I agree with your assessment as well @eadu4 . There is plenty of other history that can be taught!

Re: Does it seem appropriate for teachers to use Ancestry in class?

mspatmac — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 16:11:53 GMT

Absolutely NO NO NO. If a family chooses to use it that's fine and they control whats learned. But for a teacher to use it at a personal level with students is wrong on so many levels.

@gertrudecloset I'm with you on this

Re: Does it seem appropriate for teachers to use Ancestry in class?

Puppy Lips — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 16:17:36 GMT

I agree that I don't think a student's personal family history has any place in the classroom. That is for families to learn and discover about themselves, not for teachers or other classmates to know about them. Hopefully that is not what is being done - sharing with the class about other student's histories.

That aside, I don't really see the big deal about one's family history. Beyond my great grandparents, I don't really care to learn beyond that - who they were, what they did or where they came from. Their achievements, or lack thereof, is no reflection on me. I don't care if I am a distant relative of some famous person. Beyond great grandparents, I don't feel much of a family connection at all.

Re: Does it seem appropriate for teachers to use Ancestry in class?

Harpa — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 16:21:22 GMT

I've got to give this more than just a casual thought. There is always potential for misuse or misinterpretation or misunderstanding or misapplication.

I don't see how those are the tools to teach others about themselves. You are you; your mom is your mom; grandparent is grandparent; and you make decisions on your own every day, regardless of ancestry.

All I know is that I celebrate our differences (ethnicities & backgrounds) in my college classes, albeit through music. I think my students, do, too.

Re: Does it seem appropriate for teachers to use Ancestry in class?

Sooner — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 16:26:55 GMT

I went to a very poor school early in life, and I know a lot of wonderful kids who came from not wonderful homes. So based on that, I don't think a kid's family should be a topic for discussion in the classroom. Take a child for who they are, not who their family is!

Re: Does it seem appropriate for teachers to use Ancestry in class?

chrystaltree — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 18:31:27 GMT

What value would this have for a history class? Teachers should TEACH, not look up private information on websites. I'm 100% certain thst this doesn't happen at any school in my state.

Re: Does it seem appropriate for teachers to use Ancestry in class?

lgfan — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 17:41:02 GMT

@Sooner" I went to a very poor school early in life, and I know a lot of wonderful kids who came from not wonderful homes. So based on that, I don't think a kid's family should be a topic for discussion in the classroom. Take a child for who they are, not who their family is!"

I agree with you. I believe in the adage "It is not where you come from but where you are going that counts". I remember when I was in school nosy teachers asking how our parents met and why were you given your name, etc.

Re: Does it seem appropriate for teachers to use Ancestry in class?

occasionalrain — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 17:55:34 GMT

Since parents have the right to opt out if they don't want their child to participate, I don't see a problem in making it available to students who would benefit from it. Classroom history is lacking and boring. It doesn't have to be dates, significant battles, and generals. How many know that our national anthem was written on a merchant ship in Baltimore harbor during the battle for Fort McHenry?

Re: Does it seem appropriate for teachers to use Ancestry in class?

Sooner — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 18:01:33 GMT

To bring up the subject of who your ancestors are and get kids thinking about it is nothing but "who'se your mama?" Something very hurtful to many children. Kids need to learn that they make their life and choices.

Re: Does it seem appropriate for teachers to use Ancestry in class?

goldensrbest — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 18:17:50 GMT

What if they are looking up family history of men and women in history books?

Re: Does it seem appropriate for teachers to use Ancestry in class?

liliblu — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 18:25:33 GMT

@occasionalrain wrote:
Since parents have the right to opt out if they don't want their child to participate, I don't see a problem in making it available to students who would benefit from it. Classroom history is lacking and boring. It doesn't have to be dates, significant battles, and generals. How many know that our national anthem was written on a merchant ship in Baltimore harbor during the battle for Fort McHenry?

How many have read the "The Star Spangled Banner"? The full poem?

Re: Does it seem appropriate for teachers to use Ancestry in class?

mspatmac — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 18:29:34 GMT

@occasionalrain

@occasionalrain wrote:
Since parents have the right to opt out if they don't want their child to participate, I don't see a problem in making it available to students who would benefit from it. Classroom history is lacking and boring. It doesn't have to be dates, significant battles, and generals. How many know that our national anthem was written on a merchant ship in Baltimore harbor during the battle for Fort McHenry?

What you brought up is History not the child's personal family information! A good History teacher can make it interesting and relatable but not at a personal family level.