Are you concerned about the teaching of history these days?

Question

I am concerned about some of the misconceptions now prevalent about the origins of ww1 and ww2.

I never intended this question as a criticism of
history teachers but generally the interpretation
of the facts which is often driven by social mores of the the reader.

Answer 1

As a history teacher myself - I am very frustrated about it all. The whole nc is full of misconceptions and is very restricting. I believe history should be about the past both good and bad. I am unable to teach in depth any topic due to time limitations - up to GCSE level there is no ancient history - apparently history began in 1066.

Answer 2

A famous story about WW I - when the German and Belgian ambassadors were at the peace conference, the German said "I wonder what future generations will say about this war?" and the Belgian said, "Well, they will never say that Belgium invaded Germany."

There is more - and more accurate and detailed - information about WW I and WW II available now than at any time in the past. It is very likely that the accounts now available are by far the most reliable, and that material previously taught was wrong and is now being corrected. This always happens with historical accounts -- it is impossible to write the truth while so many of the actors are still alive to advocate for their own version. After all the people involved have died, then historians can access the hidden records and eventually tell the unvarnished truth.

Answer 3

what misconceptions are you talking about? and speaking as a history teacher we need new text books constantly because we do not just stop with the 1970's. and as matt said there is more information then ever before there is always documentation being uncovered. the biggest factor is in this the foia that declassifies top secret documenttation after 50 years. the text book is a companion not your curriculum. your curriculum is the state standards and you use any tool you can to get them across to the students.

Answer 4

Yes, indeed I am concerned about the revisionist history portrayed in today's text books.
As home schoolers we can use solid history books, since no one prescribes the books we can use.
I do not understand why we have to constantly revise, or update history books, since these events already happened, and the facts of these events no longer are subject to change.
However you can educate yourself too, you do not have to take as gospel what is presented to you in class as fact; thinking for your self is one of the great gifts a student can give him/herself.

Answer 5

Matt there stole my intro, in fact beat me to it...

Nothing more to add than, whatever the interpretations may be, the bare facts will never change, ie Belgium will not be an invader in any book about WWII.

Answer 6

history books are a great read because history repeats itself.

Answer 7

yes

Answer 8

Such as?