The Power of Discussion in History Education

This month’s Face to Face with Chancellor May features two guests from the California History-Social Science Project, a UC Davis entity that provides professional development, curriculum resources and support for teachers across the state: Executive Director Dawniell Black and Deputy Director Beth Slutsky. 

“The history project is a bridge between the research that happens at the university and how it gets applied in K-12 classrooms around the state,” Slutsky said.

Black, a former teacher and district administrator, emphasized the importance of creating communities among educators and helping teachers develop as leaders.

“One of the ways in which we really empower educators is bringing them into community with each other,” Black said.

The conversation also focused on the importance of classroom discussion, particularly as students continue to experience the effects of the pandemic and as artificial intelligence changes how students access information.

“Classroom discussion has never been more important,” Slutsky said. “It’s to teach students to understand sources, to access primary sources and original languages so that they can ask their own questions and make informed analysis and comparisons.”

Black said those skills extend beyond the classroom and help prepare students for civic life.

“We want them to go out into the world and do things,” Black said. “A key component of that is communicating [their] ideas.”

May also reflected on the role of universities following America’s 250th anniversary, saying higher education should listen to criticism and work to address concerns about its future.

“I would like for us, in the coming 250 years, to really take stock of those critiques and not dismiss them,” May said, pointing to issues including affordability, accessibility and transparency. 

For Black and Slutsky, effective education ultimately comes down to relationships. Asked what advice she would give a first-year teacher, Black offered a simple philosophy: “connection over content.”

Tune in to the full episode above to hear more about history education, classroom discourse, AI, civic engagement and the work of the California History-Social Science Project.

More episodes of ‘Face to Face’

Chancellor May has interviewed more than 60 guests on his monthly talk show, including faculty, staff and students.

Listen to all of the conversations on the Face to Face webpage.