{"id":196,"date":"2025-07-08T21:02:40","date_gmt":"2025-07-08T21:02:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/?post_type=docs&#038;p=196"},"modified":"2025-07-11T12:48:29","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T12:48:29","password":"","slug":"knowledge-and-the-knower-personal-memory-vs-shared-memory-1","status":"publish","type":"docs","link":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/en\/docs\/knowledge-and-the-knower-personal-memory-vs-shared-memory-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Personal Memory vs Shared Memory, Lesson 1"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lesson 1: Opening Debate<\/h2><p><strong>Focus:<\/strong> <em>Which is more reliable: personal memory or shared memory, such as in historical records?<\/em><\/p><p>Suggested length: 1 hour<\/p><p>Learning objectives:<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Explore different perspectives on the reliability of memory and history, with attention to power, bias, and subjectivity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Analyze how commonly held memories differ from documented historical facts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"my-custom-block\">Determine whether there are circumstances under which intentionally omitting certain memories from historical narratives can be justified.<\/li>\n<\/ul><div style=\"height:0rem\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background has-fixed-layout\" style=\"background-color:#e9f1fb\"><thead><tr><th>Critical Thinking Concepts<\/th><th>TOK Concepts<\/th><th>Reflection Questions<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Confronting Biases and Assumptions:<\/strong> Identify authority bias and question personal bias.<br><br><strong>Exploring Contexts:<\/strong> Perform a stakeholder analysis and examine cultural and societal influences.<br><br><strong>Responsiveness and Flexibility of Thought:<\/strong> Adapt arguments and consider contradictory perspectives.<\/td><td><strong>Perspectives: <\/strong>How do commonly held memories differ from documented historical facts, and what implications does this have for our understanding of history?<br><br><strong>Power: <\/strong>&nbsp;In what ways do power structures shape the &ldquo;official&rdquo; narratives of historical events, and how does this affect collective memory?<br><\/td><td>What factors make personal memory convincing or unconvincing as a source of knowledge?<br><br>How might historians&rsquo; methods (archival research, cross-verification) challenge or support personal recollections?<br><br>In what ways could power or authority shape both memory and history?<br><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure><style>#sp-ea-200 .spcollapsing { height: 0; overflow: hidden; transition-property: height;transition-duration: 300ms;}#sp-ea-200.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single {margin-bottom: 10px; border: 1px solid #e2e2e2; }#sp-ea-200.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header a {color: #444;}#sp-ea-200.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.sp-collapse>.ea-body {background: #fff; color: #444;}#sp-ea-200.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single {background: #eee;}#sp-ea-200.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header a .ea-expand-icon { float: left; color: #444;font-size: 16px;}<\/style><div id=\"sp_easy_accordion-1750245729\"><div id=\"sp-ea-200\" class=\"sp-ea-one sp-easy-accordion\" data-ea-active=\"ea-click\" data-ea-mode=\"vertical\" data-preloader=\"\" data-scroll-active-item=\"\" data-offset-to-scroll=\"0\"><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-2000\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse2000\" aria-controls=\"collapse2000\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> Resources and Preparation<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse spcollapse\" id=\"collapse2000\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-2000\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><ol><li>Slides, attached below.<\/li><li>Log into Kialo and clone the linked discussion in the main activity to make a copy for your students.<\/li><li>Use your preferred sharing method to share <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kialo-edu.com\/p\/9bc863be-e1f9-4aa7-baae-946a0b6fcae9\/299762\" target=\"&ldquo;_blank&rdquo;\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\" rel=\"nofollow\">the cloned discussion<\/a> with your students.<\/li><li>View <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ZNZB1X3nbOc\" target=\"&ldquo;_blank&rdquo;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What is the difference between history and memory? - YouTube<\/span><\/a> before sharing it with your students.<\/li><\/ol><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-2001\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse2001\" aria-controls=\"collapse2001\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> Introduction<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse spcollapse\" id=\"collapse2001\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-2001\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Present the central question: &ldquo;Which is more reliable: personal memory or official history?&rdquo;<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Share a brief anecdote: For instance, a student&rsquo;s family memory of an event vs. a textbook version. Ask students what might cause these accounts to differ.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Optional viewing <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=aTITBeyBnmc\" target=\"&ldquo;_blank&rdquo;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What is the difference between history and memory? - YouTube<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to give students contextual information regarding the topic.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-2002\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse2002\" aria-controls=\"collapse2002\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> Main Activity<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse spcollapse\" id=\"collapse2002\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-2002\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p><b>Debate setup:<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Use the Kialo discussion: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kialo-edu.com\/p\/9bc863be-e1f9-4aa7-baae-946a0b6fcae9\/299762\" target=\"&ldquo;_blank&rdquo;\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Which is more reliable: personal memory or official history?<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> with these theses:<\/span><\/p><ul><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&ldquo;Official history is more reliable.&rdquo;<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&ldquo;Personal memory is more reliable.&rdquo;<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The discussion includes the following pros and cons beneath the theses:<\/span><\/p><ul><li><b>THESIS: Personal memory is more reliable.<\/b><ul><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">PRO: Personal memory is based on individual experiences.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">CON: Personal memory is too subjective to trust.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><ul><li><b>THESIS: Official history is more reliable.<\/b><ul><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">PRO: Official history is systematically constructed.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">CON: Official history is often shaped by power structures.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><ul><li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><ul><li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Below is a list of claims and questions that you may wish to use with students to develop the discussion.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\"History is always written by the victors.\"<\/span><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Debate Prompt: Does this mean personal memory is more authentic, since it&rsquo;s free from official spin?<\/span><\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\"If a memory is shared by enough people, it becomes history.\"<\/span><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Question: Is there a difference between commonly held memories and documented historical fact?<\/span><\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\"All personal memory is too subjective to trust, while history is based on objective research.\"<\/span><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pushback: Remind students that historians can also be subjective.<\/span><\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\"Official history is just a collectively agreed-upon memory&mdash;no more valid than personal recollections.\"<\/span><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Challenge: Ask if official archives, historical methods, and cross-verification make history inherently stronger.<\/span><\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\"Forgetting is essential to national unity&mdash;some parts of history must be left out.\"<\/span><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Moral\/Ethical Angle: Should certain memories (genocides, atrocities, colonial abuses) ever be intentionally omitted?<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><p><b>Debate<br><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Students present initial arguments, referencing examples like false memories (Mandela Effect) or controversies in historical narratives (different countries&rsquo; textbooks).<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Encourage counterarguments.<br><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Ask<\/strong>: &ldquo;Could memory capture truths that official history omits?&rdquo; &ldquo;Can historians be biased, too?&rdquo;<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-2003\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse2003\" aria-controls=\"collapse2003\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> Reflection Activity<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse spcollapse\" id=\"collapse2003\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-2003\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Discuss the following reflection questions in open discussion or exit ticket format:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What factors make personal memory convincing or unconvincing as a source of knowledge?<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">How might historians&rsquo; methods (archival research, cross-verification) challenge or support personal recollections?<p><\/p><\/span><\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In what ways could power or authority shape both memory and history?<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related Materials<\/h2><div data-height=\"auto\">\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kialo-edu.com\/p\/9bc863be-e1f9-4aa7-baae-946a0b6fcae9\/299762\/\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\" rel=\"nofollow\">Which is more reliable: personal memory or official history?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/strong> &mdash; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kialo-edu.com\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\">kialo-edu.com<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kialo-edu.com\/assets\/static\/js\/embedded-kialo.min.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\t\t<\/div><div class=\"embedpress-gutenberg-wrapper source-provider-GoogleDocs aligncenter clear   ep-content-protection-disabled inline\" id=\"5dd417fa-5aed-498d-9e51-d981fcaa1d05\" data-embed-type=\"GoogleDocs \">\n            <div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper \">\n                <div id=\"ep-gutenberg-content-4081528ef745c6523a0decd352ceb1a5\" class=\"ep-gutenberg-content\">\n                    <div>\n                        <div class=\"ep-embed-content-wraper preset-default insta-grid ep-google-photos-carousel\">\n\n                            <div class=\"ose-google-docs ose-uid-9678ac8db224e120a0036a5505b98155 ose-embedpress-responsive\" style=\"width:600px; height:600px; max-height:600px; max-width:100%; display:inline-block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/presentation\/d\/e\/2PACX-1vRF_neJLeplg7_jQgASTIOAPHyCQGG5l3xSTA4sO2TT-Iw9TnTR_saMFEo5K9yH0B5j-XyKMoTY-VAE\/embed?start=false&amp;loop=false&amp;delayms=3000\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" mozallowfullscreen=\"true\" webkitallowfullscreen=\"true\" title=\"Personal Memory vs Shared Memory, Lesson 1\"><\/iframe><\/div>                        <\/div>\n\n                                            <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lesson 1: Opening DebateFocus: Which is more reliable: personal memory or shared memory, such as in historical records?Suggested length: 1 hourLearning objectives: Critical Thinking Concepts TOK Concepts Reflection Questions Confronting Biases and Assumptions: Identify authority bias and question personal bias. Exploring Contexts: Perform a stakeholder analysis and examine cultural and societal influences. Responsiveness and Flexibility [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":48,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"wds_primary_doc_category":0,"wds_primary_doc_tag":0,"footnotes":""},"doc_category":[20],"doc_tag":[],"class_list":["post-196","docs","type-docs","status-publish","hentry","doc_category-knowledge-knower"],"acf":[],"year_month":"2026-05","word_count":191,"total_views":"94","reactions":{"happy":"0","normal":"0","sad":"0"},"author_info":{"name":"Amnah Ejaz","author_nicename":"ae","author_url":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/en\/author\/ae\/"},"doc_category_info":[{"term_name":"Knowledge and the Knower","term_url":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/en\/docs-category\/knowledge-knower\/"}],"doc_tag_info":[],"knowledge_base_info":[],"knowledge_base_slug":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs\/196","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/docs"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/48"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=196"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs\/196\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=196"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"doc_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/doc_category?post=196"},{"taxonomy":"doc_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/doc_tag?post=196"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}