Module III methods/Strategies of Teaching History

2.0 
Objectives
By the end of this unit, you should be able to: 
(i) 
List the importance of teaching and learning history. 
(ii) 
Explain the importance of teaching and learning history. 
3.0 
 The Importance of Teaching and Learning History 
The importance of teaching and learning of history cannot be over-emphasized. History as a 
discipline offers the avenue for understanding the very nature of the society, its values and 
problems. This is as a result of the fact that societies are not static, but dynamic. Man is 

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concerned with the nature of his society in terms of his past activities that serve as an 
indicator of the present and future. One’s history is always his beginning. In other words, 
man’s genesis is always traced through history as it explains to him how he came to be, who 
he is and why he is where he is today. Hence, no society can get along without the 
knowledge of its history.
History is to the community, what memory is to the individual. A man suffering from loss of 
memory could be said to have lost his sense of identity. Similarly, a society without history 
is doomed as such society will lose its sense of identity and bearing. In other words, there 
will be no development since there is no knowledge of the past, no understanding of the 
present and no projection into the future.
History offers students the skills of critical thinking, reasoning and analysis of issues and 
development in all ramifications. It is only through historical reflections that one develops a 
particular view of the world and it allows one to appreciate his / her own views and the views 
of others that may seem different. 
The study of history does not only broaden students’ knowledge and appreciations of the 
world, but offers the basis of constructive interaction and objectivity in analyzing issues. 
Knowing your history alongside developing your character brings your personality into 
alignment with yourself. This way, you become more confident in expressing your own 
views and ideas and you become more receptive to learning from others. By cultivating the 
healthy habit of constant reflection, one is less likely to repeat past errors.