Experts advise on reforming History subject

Teachers will play a decisive role in innovating and improving the quality of teaching History in the general education program…

The National Assembly has just passed a Resolution requiring the continuation of the History subject in the new textbook program. Thus, History continues to be an independent subject, not integrated into other subjects in the new general education program. The key issue now is that we must have effective solutions in innovating the History subject, how to make this subject truly attractive to students.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nghiem Dinh Vy, former Principal of Hanoi Pedagogical University - a person who has devoted himself to researching History for decades, said that on the basis of old textbooks, the Ministry of Education and Training will innovate the program and the way of writing textbooks, and then innovate teaching.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nghiem Dinh Vy,

Currently, the teaching of History is conducted in a bridging method from Primary to High School and in the direction of gradually improving knowledge. If History subject at Primary level is innovated, it can be combined with Geography subject.

History should be taught in the form of stories and topics that are attractive to students. For example, the topic: The name of Vietnam through the ages: Van Lang, Au Lac, Van Xuan, Dai Viet, Vietnam... teachers should explain in a specific and detailed way and then let students discuss in the most scientific and exciting way.

To develop students' abilities, teachers should let them express their feelings in the most honest way through topics such as: Visiting rivers, traveling through ancient capitals...

For the part about historical figures and celebrities, teachers must have the skills to arouse and develop students' curiosity, imagination and exploration through attractive stories such as: Egypt - the land of pyramids, Greece - the homeland of the gods...

At the secondary school level, most schools teach Vietnamese history first, then world history. However, this teaching has not yet created a connection between knowledge.

To overcome the above reality, the textbook program can parallel the knowledge of Vietnamese and world history. For example, in the lesson: Primitive society in the world history section, teachers can also teach the lesson: Primitive traces on Vietnam.

In the lesson about the August Revolution, teachers can talk about the atmosphere on the day of the August Revolution in Hanoi and Saigon, and include the situation of World War II.

The innovation of History is a comprehensive innovation, including the textbook program. The book introduces the whole history of a chapter through vivid pictures and videos.

In writing textbooks, the editorial board should not cram too many events and dates like they do now, but should instead include historical documents, many maps, and colorful, vivid pictures (including caricatures) to make the book truly eye-catching and attract students to History more.

At the high school level, the new textbook editorial board should have a way of writing books so that teachers can teach by topic: Politics, economics, society, culture, science... In grade 10, teachers teach medieval history; in grade 11, modern history and in grade 12, modern history.

The theme of each historical period must be interesting, with connections between historical events and the current situation. For example, the theme “War and Peace” can provide lessons on “The Unstable Past” including part I on memorable events of World War I and World War II. Part two is “Smoke Still Thick” including knowledge about the Middle East war, IS forces, the current situation in Ukraine and Afghanistan.

The third part is “The Sound of Peace” which includes lessons to help students better understand the position and role of the United Nations, the International Red Cross, international Olympic competitions and the image of Vietnam - a country of peace.

Teachers determine the quality of history teaching.

According to Associate Professor, Doctor Nghiem Dinh Vy, in the grand scheme of education development, teachers play the most important role. No matter how beautiful or interesting the textbooks are, how modern the infrastructure and teaching equipment are, they are not the decisive factors in innovation and improving the quality of training.

Currently, teaching History mainly focuses on the lecture method of "teacher reads, student copies". In the innovation of teaching History, teachers should play the role of class organizers so that students are truly enthusiastic about the subject.

Instead of just standing on the podium to impart knowledge, teachers should increase group learning activities, students can discuss about a certain issue in the most natural and lively way. To support teachers to teach more effectively, schools should invest in more projectors so that teachers can put images and video clips about a historical topic on the board to attract students to focus on this subject more.

In addition to innovating teaching methods, we need to strengthen teacher training and education. Accordingly, teachers need to learn and master new knowledge and teaching methods to make History truly attractive to students.

In addition, schools should create conditions for students to visit historical sites, museums, etc. Through field trips, students will understand more about the history of the nation through specific, real images.

Along with the elements of textbook innovation and improving the quality of teacher training, the innovation of History subject also requires the joint support and contribution of the Film industry in building and screening films about history.

History education not only provides students with knowledge but also must arouse the spirit of our ancestors in fighting foreign invaders and defending the country, creating a spirit of national pride and patriotism and calling on citizens to be ready to stand up to protect the Fatherland.

Each history lesson must help students understand how our ancestors built the country in the past and awaken the patriotic nature of the Vietnamese people in the hearts of each student. This contributes to equipping the young generation to become “global citizens” with a full convergence of intelligence, capacity, and qualities with their own identity so that wherever they go, they will be proud to be Vietnamese./.

According to VOV