What is an “Educator Path?”

Facing History and Ourselves has created an online tool that allows an educator in our network to easily gather a customized collection of our online resources and create a “mini-website” to use with students. Our website and online modules offer a wealth of information across a broad range of themes and topics related to the work we do. The path tool allows you to pick and choose only those resources—readings, video clips, primary source documents, etc.—that are pertinent to the specific content you are teaching.

In the past, educators have only been able to create paths within individual online modules, such as Transitional Justice: Reconstructing Self and Society, or The Weimar Republic: The Fragility of Democracy. Now, teachers in our network are able to create paths across all of our online resources and modules. For example, you might create a path and choose to include a teaching strategy from the Educator Resources area of our main website, a link to one of our downloadable study guides in the publications section, and a link to a reading from one of our online modules. 

When creating a path, you are prompted to add introductory text (perhaps a message to your students) and have the ability to annotate the list of resources you are compiling. Paths can be used for different purposes and you may create as many different paths as you wish. You might create paths for your curricular planning or as assignments for students. You may gather resources to share with your colleagues. You may choose to create different paths for the different subjects you teach—you may even decide to create paths for individual students. Once completed, it is simple for you, your colleagues or your students to access your path (see ”How do my students access a path I have created?”, below).

Who can create Facing History and Ourselves Educator Paths?
Only teachers who are part of our Educator Network have access to create a path. If you are not currently a member of our Educator Network and are interested in learning more, click here.

How do I create a path?
In order to create a path, you must first be logged into the website using your Educator Network login. If you are not logged in, you will not have access to the path creation tools. (Please note, however, that you do not need to be logged in to be able to view someone’s path – see ”How do my students access a path I have created?”, below.)

There are two ways to initially create a path:

1. On each content page, you will see an “add to path” link located towards the top of the page to the left of the blue column. If you wish to create a path that includes that page, click on the link and follow the instructions to either create a new path or add that page to one of your existing paths.
2. Your “My Profile” page contains a link to “create a new path” or to edit one of your existing paths. These links are located on the left-hand side, below your main profile information.

For detailed instructions on how to create a path, click here.

Can I create multiple paths?
Yes. You are free to create as many paths as you desire.

Can I re-order the items in my path?
Yes. In edit mode, the path tool allows you to simply “drag and drop” to re-order the items in your path.

How do my students access a path I have created?
There are two ways for your students (or anyone) to access your path:

1. On the Facing History and Ourselves website navigation bar, under the Educator Resources, drop-down menu, click on Educator Paths. On the Educator Paths search page, there are instructions to search all paths by last name of teacher. Paths created by all individuals with the same last name will then be displayed on a search results page. Each result will include the title of the path along with the teacher’s last name so students can find the correct path. You may also search by keyword to find a path.
   
   
2. Each path has its own unique URL (Web address). You may simply want to provide the URL to your students for direct access to your path.

Please note that in order for anyone to access your path, they will need to provide the password you have created for that path (see

Can I add links to URLs outside of Facing History’s family of websites?
Yes. When you create a new path or edit an existing path, you have the option to add URLs linking to any webpage on the Internet.

Will my path be viewable by anyone?
Only if you elect to not password-protect your path.

*Please note that if you choose to use a password, your path password is separate from your Facing History account and for security purposes, you should make sure that the two passwords are not the same.