Time Travel’ Immerses Students in Native American History for Future Problem-Solving

In Ms. Evans' fifth-grade class at a large suburban school in central Ohio, students experienced a unique journey through time using immersive storytelling to explore a Native American community in the 19th century. The class embarked on a virtual trip to a Seminole village in Florida during the 1800s, guided by the story of Seminole leader Osceola.

As Osceola narrated the challenges faced by the Seminole community, students interacted with vivid representations on their Chromebooks, delving into the Seminole's daily lives, food, clothing, and experiences. The immersive experience aimed to provide a more nuanced understanding of historical issues and foster dialogue among students, contrasting with traditional curricula that focus on memorization of facts and dates.

The Digital Civic Learning research group has been collaborating with elementary school teachers in Ohio since 2020 to develop such immersive social studies lessons. Recognizing the decline in American teenagers' knowledge of U.S. history, the approach integrates technology, immersive learning, and collaborative small-group discussions to make history education more engaging.

Unlike curricula rooted in settler colonialism, this approach emphasizes diverse perspectives and encourages students to actively participate in discussions, reflecting on historical dilemmas. For instance, students consider the Treaty of Payne's Landing, exploring Osceola's dilemma of accepting the treaty for peace or refusing it to protect Seminole land.

The curriculum also draws connections between historical events and contemporary issues, such as the Dakota Access Pipeline. Students discuss the pipeline's impact on the economy and Native American land, fostering critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving skills.

Surveys conducted as part of the curriculum evaluation reveal increased emotional engagement with history among students, demonstrating the effectiveness of immersive and interactive practices in enhancing historical understanding and promoting civic awareness.