I generally tell my students when it comes to internet sources – try to find the original document, primary source. It this case it may be looking into who did the video, finding it on their page, and linking there.

related to schools. OCR’d and fully searchable.

I am writing in response to your blog.
I was reading the following entry :

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Defining Compromise
This year’s History Day theme, like last year’s Triumph and Tragedy, is a two-parter.  However, unlike last year students had to incorporate two differing perspectives of one topic, this year’s Conflict and Compromise seems to be a little less distinct.  
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You seem to be indicating that the theme from last last year required students to incorporate BOTH triumph AND tragedy.

This is not correct.

The NHD website and written materials from last year state the following:

“For national History day 2007, students are encouraged to select an individual, idea or event and demonstrate how and why their topic was a triumph and/or a tragedy in history.”

Note the last segment , AND/OR .

I emphasize this point because I am aware of 2 specific examples where judges wrote on written evaluation forms that a student did not address both a tragedy and an triumph. I was disappointed and concerned about this because it appears that some judges were under the impression that both elements needed to be addressed. This is not true ! As a result some students were improperly evaluated. This is a point of significant concern given the time commitment that some students commit to the project. In some cases this might entail hundreds of hours of work !

How are judges trained on the regional, state and local levels to ensure that they fully aware of the contest rules and themes and that they themselves have adequate background in the discipline ?

As far as this year’s theme the rules for conflict and compromise are virtually identical to last years. “Students may choose to focus on a conflict or a compromise, but if the topic includes one as well as the other, the student needs to address both sides of the theme.”

Hopefully, students, teachers, AND judges will all have a very clear understanding of this year’s theme.

Thank you for your attention I look forward to your reply.

Regards,

Karl Blendell