NE North Dakota News

University of North Dakota professors Cynthia Prescott and Craig Carlson are reshaping the educational landscape with their innovative teaching methods. By incorporating role play and archival research into their courses, they aim to deepen student engagement and understanding.

In Professor Prescott's "Monuments, Museums and Memory" class, students take on historical roles to debate significant issues like the Vietnam Veterans Memorial design. Similarly, Associate Professor Carlson's aviation history course involves students in a 1960s-style protest regarding the relocation of Grand Forks airport.

Prescott emphasizes that learning is more effective when students engage with primary sources rather than just absorbing information. She states, “I was never excited about traditional history teaching about presidents, political leaders and wars. I was really excited about learning how real people experienced those events.”

Carlson, who transitioned from an air traffic controller in the U.S. Air Force to academia, also supports this active learning approach. He notes, “I found that if they struggle to find the answer, they really remember it a lot better.” His method has been appreciated by students like Ella Centolla, who highlights his adaptability and clarity in teaching complex concepts.

Both educators utilize UND’s Special Collections as a practical resource for students to interact with historical documents and artifacts. In Prescott’s History 253 course, for instance, students use these resources for projects that contribute to Clio, a public history platform.

Prescott believes hands-on experiences foster critical thinking: “To learn about working with stuff, why would we read about it when we can actually do it?” Her approach is praised by students such as Amelia Benware for its engaging activities beyond traditional lectures.

Carlson's classes similarly benefit from immersive exercises using Special Collections. He recalls students fully embracing their roles during airport relocation debates by bringing signs reflective of their researched factions.

The goal of these methods extends beyond academic content mastery; they develop transferable skills crucial for future careers. Prescott explains the value of understanding different perspectives: “The intellectual challenge of having to represent a perspective different from your personal worldview can be really powerful.”

Both professors focus on long-term impact rather than test scores alone. Prescott measures success through reflective writing assignments while Carlson seeks feedback for continuous improvement. They encourage other educators to innovate: “Don’t be afraid to try something new,” advises Carlson.

Their efforts are supported by UND’s environment which allows flexibility in course design and access to valuable resources like Special Collections. This support enables them to transcend traditional academic boundaries and enhance student learning experiences meaningfully.

“It needs to be motivated by meaningful learning objectives,” stresses Prescott. Their work demonstrates how creative teaching approaches can make subjects relatable and relevant across disciplines.