Artefact

At the end of each unit, you will choose an item and explain why you feel it represents the era you’ve just finished studying.

Historical Significance

What makes an object "significant"? In History, we don't just look at what was the coolest or most expensive item of the time. Instead, we look at how that item acted as a "ripple in a pond," changing things far beyond itself.

To help you build a "compelling argument" for your video, consider these four lenses of significance:

1. Depth of Impact: How deeply did it change people's lives? Did it change how they worked, what they ate, or how they saw the world?
2. Quantity of Impact: How many people were affected by it? Was it something only used by kings, or did it change life for every person in a village?
3. Durability: How long did the effects last? Did it start a trend that lasted for centuries, or was it a "flash in the pan"?
4. Representativeness: Does this object "symbolize" the era? For example, a piece of iron doesn't just represent a tool; it represents a massive shift in human technology and warfare during the Iron Age.

Some ways it might be significant are:

• It was new and popular
• It used new technology
• Its effect on inter-regional politics
• Its effect on societal standards
• It stopped being used after that period
• It made people’s lives better
• It killed a lot of people
• etc.

Video

Your video should explain why, if you think about it, your item was the most significant thing from that period.

Significant inventions are often both good and bad - Iron from the Iron Age meant you could make better tools, just one of which was better swords to stab people with. The more, different ways something can be incorporated into (and have an effect on) our world, the more significant it is.

Video Logistics & Tips

Since your primary task is to submit a 3-5 minute video, we recommend using Canva to build and record your presentation. It’s a great way to ensure your argument is communicated effectively.

• "Talking Head" Presentation: Use a combination of the Canva Free Screen Recorder (to show slides of your artefact) and the Canva Online Video Recorder (to record yourself), and stitch them together in the timeline. This puts your face in a small bubble in the corner while you show slides of your artefact.
• Visualizing Significance:
  • Don't just use text. Use Canva’s "Elements" tab to find high-quality photos or even 3D models of your artefact.
  • To make a "compelling argument", use a side-by-side comparison slide: show the world before your artefact on the left and the world after it on the right.
• Keep it Within the Limit:
  • Canva shows you the total length of your video at the bottom of the editor. Aim for that 3-5 minute sweet spot. If you go over 5 minutes, try to cut out descriptions and focus more on the significance.
• Exporting for Submission:
  • When you’re finished, click Share > Download > File Type: MP4 Video. Make sure you check the file size to ensure it uploads easily to the submission portal!

Citations

Citations are just a way to give credit to the historians and creators whose work you used to build your argument. Please follow this process to cite your sources correctly.

1. Use an AI Assistant AI is great at formatting, but it needs good data. Try using this prompt:

"I need to create an [MLA/APA] citation for my history project. Here is the URL/Information: [Paste Link Here]. Please format this correctly and tell me if any information (like the publication date) is missing."

2. "Big Four" Check Whether you use a generator or AI, always check that your citation includes these four pieces of "evidence":

• Who created it? (Author/Organization)
• What is it called? (Title of the article or page)
• Where was it found? (Website name or URL)
• When was it made? (Date of publication)

3. Formatting for Your Video Since you are submitting a video, please include your citations two ways:

• Credits Slide: Create a final slide in your presentation titled "Works Cited" (MLA) or "References" (APA). Ensure the text is large enough to be readable.
• Digital Doc: Submit a separate Markdown file alongside your video link.

Deliverable: