Looking for Help!!! FamilySearch activity- Possibly for the Computer
My husband and I are Stake Temple and Family History Consultants in the Colorado Grand Junction West Stake. We have developed an activity to teach FamilySearch and have conducted this activity as a Young Women/Young Men combined activity throughout our Stake with much success. I have an elementary education teaching degree as well as a Masters in Psychology degree and have based this activity on teaching and psychology principles. I have the idea of putting this activity on the computer so it can be accessible for anyone and would love to work with FamilySearch to do this.
Here is some feedback that we have received:
"The Winn's got rave reviews from Liberty Cap for their presentation to the youth!! They said the Youth have never been so engaged with a family history message before."
"That's it....that's so easy."
"Top notch!"
"Everyone needs this. Not all our youth were here tonight, will you come back and teach those that weren't here?"
"Will you come and do this for our Relief Society Sisters?"
local FamilySearch Center Director, "How do we get this? Can we use this in our Stake?"
Ages: 11- adult
Time: 45 (minimum) – 1 hour
Problem:
· This activity was developed after hearing reports of people frustrated in trying to learn the FamilySearch website. They each were willing to put in the time in a Family History center with a worker, but left not knowing what they were doing and frustrated to try again. There are 2 components to learning the FamilySearch website: #1- knowing what they are doing (the “why”) on the website and #2- knowing “how” to use the computer to navigate what they are trying to do. This activity heavily focuses on the “why” so that people can be successful with the "how".
· We have found that there are gaps in peoples’ learning of doing genealogy. This may be because there is no consistency in how people are taught. This activity gives a basic, holistic approach to teaching the skills necessary to be successful using the FamilySearch website in a fun way. It has been developed using basic teaching principles and psychology to help motivate learners and help them feel successful.
Objectives:
1. To teach basic, fundamental genealogy skills needed to understand the FamilySearch website. (We have found that many people have “holes” in their understanding of genealogical terms.)
2. To motive learners to learn the skills needed for FamilySearch in a fun and nonthreatening way.
3. To help learners feel successful in learning the skills needed for FamilySearch (this is a big component behind this activity. Too many times we hear people say that they have tried FamilySearch, but it is too hard. They spend the time at the Family History Center and walk away frustrated. We want to change this thinking.)
4. To meet different learner needs. (auditory, visual, kinesthetic)
5. To take a holistic approach to teach the FamilySearch website to help learners understand the “why” to what they are doing.
6. It gives a common background and vocabulary for additional training.
7. Isolates skills needed for FamilySearch and genealogy.
8. Utilizes FamilySearch’s Ordinances Ready, Get Involved, and Family Tree App, to teach FamilySearch concepts holistically.