Hi-story lessons

Description

The mission of the Hi-story lessons’ project is to show the European history of the 20th-century from different perspectives. Underlining the necessity of teaching history with an awareness that neighbour countries could possibly have a different viewpoint on the same historical fact is the main aim of the project. With Hi-story lessons we strive to challenge how teachers and their students see the history of Europe ─ its diversity and complexity of sometimes even contrary opinions. Hi-story lessons. Teaching & learning about 20th-century European history is a multilingual web-based educational project designed for high school and college teachers and students. The project is organised by European Network Remembrance and Solidarity in cooperation with the Georg Eckert Institute. The aim of the Hi-story lessons is to support the process of teaching and developing a better understanding the 20th-century European history using infographics, animations and interactive timelines displaying a list of events from the 20th century. The choice of impactful dates was made by a number of educational history experts from six countries – Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Czech Republic. All proceedings were held in the spirit of mutual respect of the variety of different opinions and national narratives. Hi-story lessons’ project is platform of practical models for integrating new media into the classroom that allows teachers to hold lessons concerning awareness of multiply thoughts on the same historical fact. The project is focused on fostering engaged learning and developing essential skills that help students become a tolerant global citizens. Idea The idea of the Hi-story lessons’ project was raised based on the general principles of Peace Education, proclaimed by Maria Montessori. The responsibility and respect for the others as well as so called Global Citizenship prevent the future conflicts. Hi-story lessons’ project is concerned with helping learners to develop an awareness of the processes and skills that are necessary for achieving understanding, tolerance, and good-will in the world today. There is no one proper narration which could be adapted by everybody. Looking at the history from the neighbour’s viewpoint shows the variety of different narratives and teaches tolerance and respect for the opinions of the others. However, each of the countries have their own historical education policy and national attempt for the local tradition and historical facts which includes as well remembrance and a certain way of following the local tradition. To connect these two currents of independent national history politics and the interdependent Europe and World, it is crucial that students would be taught the history of their country from their national point of view and simultaneously would learn how to respect the different perspectives. Only in such a way the history can be seen and understood from more objective and comprehensive perspective with a main focus on cognition studies.

Keywords

ENRS

multiperspectivity

history teaching