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engraving
Illustration from Canterbury Tales

Note to Teachers and Scholars

Public School Teachers and Home Schoolers

You are welcome to use my site for your own research; indeed, one reason why I make my site public is so school teachers can use it as a reference. My wife is a high school teacher, so I'm aware of the special constraints and challenges that face school teachers who can suddenly find themselves required to teach something that they've not really studied.

You are welcome to make assignments to your students involving this site. I ask, however, that you not make "interview" assignments. I do not have time to respond, unfortunately, and too many "interview" questions aren't really interview questions at all but are simply research topics, poorly formulated. I ask also that you not make my site the only source a student consults. The material here is no more than what can be found in any textbook on the subject, and it's important that students hear more than one voice on a research topic.

Historical Scholars

I am well aware of my shortcomings as a professional historian, and am equally well aware of the influence the Net has on students. I therefore see the need for correction and suggestion even more than is usual in academic discourse. Please do not hesitate to contact me, not only on specific historical matters but also on matters of pedagogy and even on site design and architecture.