Value of Learning History: Connecting the Past and Present

What is the value of learning History? In a world where attention is often divided between concerns over the present and future, the relevance of History is often questioned. Learning to manage the present and anticipate the future would not be possible without knowing the past. By equipping students with knowledge and attributes, History allows students to draw connections between the past and present by understanding how the nature and impact of past developments explain today’s world. History does so by helping learners to become balanced, discerning, empathetic, enquiring, knowledgeable and methodical individuals able to make well-reasoned arguments and decisions. These attributes support learners to develop the Desired Outcomes of Education so that they become well-prepared individuals, able to acquire personal growth, contribute to the nation and respond to global developments.

OUTCOMES OF HISTORY EDUCATION

Knowledge and Understanding

At the end of the course, students should be able to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of:

• history as a construct – history is constructed from evidence and therefore there are different interpretations of historical events

• the key characteristics of the periods studied – this includes the social, economic, cultural and political contexts of the societies studied and the experiences of the peoples who lived in these societies at that point in time

• the interconnections between individuals, societies, events and developments studied and those in the present day

• key individuals, groups, forces, events and ideas that shaped the development of the political, social and cultural contexts of our world today

• the process of change by showing change and/or development within and across the periods of study.

Skills

Students should also demonstrate their knowledge and understanding by employing the following skills:

• asking significant questions about the events, issues, forces or developments

• comparing different aspects of the periods, events and issues studied to establish change and continuity

• analysing and evaluating the causes and consequences of historical events and situations whilst avoiding excessively abstract generalisations

• assessing and establishing the significance of individuals, ideas, events, forces and developments on societies

• interpreting and acquiring information derived from various sources of information and evidence from a variety of media to support an enquiry

• identifying points of view in History through distinguishing bias, fact and opinion in history writing

• analysing, evaluating and synthesising historical data to make informed decisions / conclusions on the often tentative nature of judgements about the past

• organising and communicating historical knowledge and understanding through the use of appropriate historical terms and ideas appropriate to the mode of delivery, purpose and audience

• drawing conclusions from the study of evidence and appreciating that historical conclusions are liable to reassessment in the light of new or reinterpreted evidence.

Values

Students demonstrate the internalisation of key values and mindsets associated with history learning when they:

• show sensitivity to how people’s views and perspectives shape their interpretation of events, issues or developments in any specific time and space

• are aware of how cultural, intellectual and emotional contexts shape the thinking, value systems, decisions and actions of different peoples and groups in different times and places

• show openness to and respect for diverse, and sometimes opposing viewpoints

• tolerate ambiguity and are able to pose relevant questions to conduct further investigation independently

• modify and adapt their thinking according to multiple sources of information, perspectives and different circumstances, underpinned by sound moral values

• recognise, question and refine the value system which provides a moral compass in governing their actions as citizens

• empathise with people from different social, cultural, economic and political backgrounds

• identify and embrace connections between themselves and the larger community (past and present) and realise that their actions impact others thus promoting a commitment to improve the world.

Acknowledgement /Copyright - Above information are extracted from MOE syllabus documents.