REFLECTION
HOW EFFECTIVELY DID YOU COMMUNICATE HOW CHILDHOOD HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED IN HISTORY THROUGH YOUR RESEARCH?
Introduction
The topic I chose to research and present to show how childhood has been experienced was: British childhoods in the Industrial Revolution. I investigated the similarities and differences between the lives of British girls and boys of all social classes. Since this was to be a museum exhibit, I had two main objectives: firstly, to produce a neat, professional, and visually arresting display; and, secondly, to ensure that the presented information was accurate and easily understandable whilst being interesting. I wanted people, once having viewed the display, to not only consider the contrasts between the two genders, but to also reflect on childhoods today, considering how present children differ from those in the British Industrial Revolution.
Design
The design of my display helped to engage my audience as well as achieve my first objective. The colour scheme which I adopted was that of dark colours: mainly black and brown, with white to draw attention to text and information. These dark colours, I think, helped to attain the dark ambience of the Industrial Revolution – the horrific use of child labour, perhaps reflecting the shadowy coalmines where children worked, etc. The pictures and text were pasted evenly on the black posters, which I built the rest of the exhibition of, producing a well-ordered atmosphere. I laid it out so that the boards were at the back, enveloping the artefacts, so everything could be easily viewed and the artefacts could be reached. Toys such as the zoetrope and thaumatrope could be played with, providing an interactive element to the display which engaged the audience.
Historical Communication
The design of my display helped to achieve my second objective, as well as effectively communicate history. I used many sources to accumulate reliable and interesting data. Utilizing primary sources such as photographs of 19th century Britain, quotes from people in the Revolution, and sketches drawn of Britain during the time, and artefacts, I recounted how childhoods were experienced. I incorporated a variety of different areas of research in my text and images: leisure, work (jobs, conditions, health consequences, safety), and education (schools, punishments, lessons). I included an introduction to Britain’s Industrial Revolution to educate viewers on the context: speaking of pre-Industrial Europe, the bringing about of the Revolution, and other general information. I additionally incorporated an abridged summary of all my information (answering my topic question). Although I displayed a variety of information, I think I made have included too much text. Even if the facts were interesting, the audience may have been hesitant to read all of it. Perhaps I should have condensed my information even more so that there wasn’t as much text.
Conclusion
I believe I communicated how childhood has been experienced in history since I had clear objectives that I felt certain would result in the desired outcome of engaging viewers’ attention and educating them on my topic. Upon objective evaluation (viewing my display open-mindedly and hearing other peoples’ opinions) I think I achieved these goals, however, my exhibition could have been improved with fewer words.
The topic I chose to research and present to show how childhood has been experienced was: British childhoods in the Industrial Revolution. I investigated the similarities and differences between the lives of British girls and boys of all social classes. Since this was to be a museum exhibit, I had two main objectives: firstly, to produce a neat, professional, and visually arresting display; and, secondly, to ensure that the presented information was accurate and easily understandable whilst being interesting. I wanted people, once having viewed the display, to not only consider the contrasts between the two genders, but to also reflect on childhoods today, considering how present children differ from those in the British Industrial Revolution.
Design
The design of my display helped to engage my audience as well as achieve my first objective. The colour scheme which I adopted was that of dark colours: mainly black and brown, with white to draw attention to text and information. These dark colours, I think, helped to attain the dark ambience of the Industrial Revolution – the horrific use of child labour, perhaps reflecting the shadowy coalmines where children worked, etc. The pictures and text were pasted evenly on the black posters, which I built the rest of the exhibition of, producing a well-ordered atmosphere. I laid it out so that the boards were at the back, enveloping the artefacts, so everything could be easily viewed and the artefacts could be reached. Toys such as the zoetrope and thaumatrope could be played with, providing an interactive element to the display which engaged the audience.
Historical Communication
The design of my display helped to achieve my second objective, as well as effectively communicate history. I used many sources to accumulate reliable and interesting data. Utilizing primary sources such as photographs of 19th century Britain, quotes from people in the Revolution, and sketches drawn of Britain during the time, and artefacts, I recounted how childhoods were experienced. I incorporated a variety of different areas of research in my text and images: leisure, work (jobs, conditions, health consequences, safety), and education (schools, punishments, lessons). I included an introduction to Britain’s Industrial Revolution to educate viewers on the context: speaking of pre-Industrial Europe, the bringing about of the Revolution, and other general information. I additionally incorporated an abridged summary of all my information (answering my topic question). Although I displayed a variety of information, I think I made have included too much text. Even if the facts were interesting, the audience may have been hesitant to read all of it. Perhaps I should have condensed my information even more so that there wasn’t as much text.
Conclusion
I believe I communicated how childhood has been experienced in history since I had clear objectives that I felt certain would result in the desired outcome of engaging viewers’ attention and educating them on my topic. Upon objective evaluation (viewing my display open-mindedly and hearing other peoples’ opinions) I think I achieved these goals, however, my exhibition could have been improved with fewer words.
Word Count: 500
True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us.
- Socrates