Mercer Times

Michael Marino, a professor of history, has been honored by the American Historical Association with the William and Edwyna Gilbert Award. This award recognizes the best article on teaching history published in a journal, magazine, or other serial. The announcement was made during the AHA’s 137th annual meeting held in San Francisco from January 4 to 7, 2024.

Marino's article titled “Rethinking Historical Thinking: How Historians Use Unreliable Evidence” was published in February 2022 in The History Teacher. This journal is known for its focus on improving history education across various educational levels in the United States.

As both chair of the history department and secondary education coordinator at TCNJ, Marino is recognized for his expertise in social studies pedagogy. He advocates for an approach to teaching history that goes beyond memorizing facts and encourages students to engage with historical evidence critically. According to him, "If we want students to think like historians, we should teach the way historians actually think."

The paper examines how historians and graduate students use potentially biased or inaccurate sources creatively compared to high school advanced placement students. While high school students can identify biases, they often struggle to interpret such evidence innovatively as more experienced scholars do.

Marino suggests that rather than dismissing biased or inaccurate evidence outright, historians evaluate how it can be used effectively to construct interpretations of past events. His study proposes that students should also learn these skills.

Cynthia Paces, immediate-past chair of the history department at TCNJ, commended Marino's work: “The fascinating study exemplifies Mike’s status as a teacher-scholar.” She highlighted how his courses prepare undergraduates to become teachers capable of challenging their future students' understanding of historical thinking.