Introduction

This introduction provides an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book highlights issues that are important in history education and that trainee and experienced teachers will address throughout their careers. It is designed therefore to encourage teachers to consider and reflect on issues relevant to history education in order to reach their own informed judgements. Readers will be engaged by reflections on the fundamental building blocks of professional work. A history teacher, obviously, needs a particular form of understanding and the detail of what this means is developed in this part. The book explores some of the ways in which teachers and others use particular approaches in order to develop historical understanding with chapters on raising attainment, literacies, learning outside the classroom, technology, sensitive and controversial issues, teacher education, and assessment.