METHODOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTEMPORARY TEACHING OF HISTORY

Teachers of history need to be familiar with modern teaching methods, as such methods enable pupils to have a more authentic experience of historical topics taught in the classroom. In this way, teachers fulfill one of the basic tasks of contemporary schools, which is teaching related to real life and practicality. Today, teaching in schools does not relate sufficiently to the reality of life and shows too little practicality. The more history classes are related to real life practicality, the less boring and uninteresting they are. Based on psychological, pedagogical, and didactic principles, the teaching of history thus has to be implemented in such a way that it compels pupils to be interested by bringing them closer to real-life issues. One of the most successful methods is working with historical sources. There also are other ways of implementing contemporary teaching of history for example by visiting a museum or the archives. They get used to independent creative thinking and autonomous work, become familiar with cultural heritage, as well as compare the life of the past with life in the present. In addition, excursions are important as they enable pupils a first-hand experience of historical monuments. Other important modern methods in the teaching of history include role-playing and simulation, as well as the use of modern information and communication technology (ICT) and group project work.