Answer to Question #310112 in Psychology for Emmanuel Egbuagha

Question

Show the relationship between academic History and school History considering

the recent developments in South Africa by drawing attention to the vision

and purpose of History as a school subject.

Include references in your answer.

Answer 1

Some history teachers confidently conceive of their students as ‘mini-historians’ capable of engaging directly in the processes of constructing historical knowledge. Indeed they regard such engagement as essential if their students are to develop a secure understanding of the nature of historical knowledge. Others reject the idea of basing school history on the academic discipline, generally arguing either that such an approach is far too difficult for school-children or that it is too time-consuming when what young people really need is sufficient substantive knowledge to give them a mental map of the past.