For most students in the introductory World Civilization I course that Courtney Luckhardt teaches online, this is likely their first (and perhaps only) university history course. Persuading students that history is valuable, even just for the skills they need in critical reading and writing, is a difficult task. It is harder still when they view ancient and medieval history either as useless textbook knowledge or as simple lessons for us "enlightened" modern people, as if one could learn from the mistakes of the past without empathizing with the actual historical actors. Luckhardt's solution for teaching the first half of the World Civilization survey course has been to use the discussion board to have the students gain what she refers to as "historical literacy," leaving primary source analysis to students' short weekly formal writing assignments (where she can provide direct, individual feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of their analytical skills). In teaching history, historical literacy falls under the broader consideration of developing a historical consciousness, defined as an awareness of the past in the present and the interconnection between them. The challenge then is to foster this awareness of the past in the present moment, this historical literacy, in the online classroom. Luckhardt describes how she has come to find and utilize the asynchronous discussion board as an ideal place for such training.