This study examines how and with what kind of perspectives contemporary history can be taught to elementary students, The May 18th democratic movement was selected for this case study.
Although there are many mediums which can be considered as histo...
This study examines how and with what kind of perspectives contemporary history can be taught to elementary students, The May 18th democratic movement was selected for this case study.
Although there are many mediums which can be considered as historical text, this study examines three media as histolical text. The three media included in this study were fairy tales, documentary film and cartoons. Considering the characteristics of the contemporary history class, this study has used those three media rather than textbooks as forms of effective historical learning in an elementary school. There are limitations to teach contemporary history like the May 18th democratic movement with the textbook now in use, because this speaks about history in a limited and fragmented way.
Teaching contemporary history with student-friendly media would improve students understanding of history. It is desirable for elementary students to learn historical facts in stages, by focusing on gaining an empathetic historical understanding. Through this process, students will become familiar with new historical facts. This learning approach will give students an opportunity to think for themselves what meaning can be attributed to contemporary history. This will not increase the difficulty in learning history for students. Through this contemporary approach, student's insights into society and self-consciousness will be more fully developed.