During their first visit to Special Collections, students spent time learning about the role of archives and primary sources in research, the importance of primary source analysis, and what they might look for when they began their own research journey. They were also introduced to the UNT Finding Aids, and shown how to locate collections, identify materials of interest, and request those items for access. At the conclusion of the session, students were able to put their new skills into practice by requesting materials related to their project that they wanted to view in-person when they returned for their second visit the following week.

During the second session, students spent their time accessing physical materials they had requested from the finding aids, reviewing digital materials on The Portal to Texas History, and discussing where they might look outside of UNT for additional sources and information. In order for students to gain experience analyzing and interpreting the primary sources they were finding, they were asked to add and describe materials, collections, and external repositories to a class Padlet which could be accessed by students as a shared knowledge base throughout the semester.

This project and the partnership between UNT Special Collections and Dr. Slaton is just one example of the many ways in which the Coursework Development Grant has allowed us to work with faculty to connect their students to archival and rare materials through unique and tangible learning experiences.