HISTORY TEACHING METHODS

DEMOSTRATION METHOD
The demonstration method in teaching of history can be defined as giving a demo
or performing a specific activity or concept. In other words, the demonstration
method is a teaching-learning process carried out in a very systematic manner.
Demonstration often occurs when students have a difficult time connecting
theories to actual practice or when students are unable to understand the
application of theories. In order to ensure, the demonstration method is a success,
three things needed to be followed-

 The object being displayed during the demonstration method should not be
very small.
 During the demonstration method, clear and simple language should be used
so that pupils may understand concepts easily.
 The pupils should be able to question teachers in order to remove their
difficulties.

Features of Demonstration Method:

The success of any classroom strategy depends on how well its methods and goals
are understood, not only by teachers but also by students. The major features of the
demonstration method of teaching are as follows.
 The demonstration process should be clearly defined during practice while
following a pre-planned strategy.
 All attention should be focused on students' behavior and activities during
the presentation.
 Clear and easy-to-understand language should be employed during the
demonstration.

 The demonstration should be carried out in a simple and easy manner.

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  In this strategy, full attention should be paid to all the students in the class.

 Goals and objectives of the demonstration should be very clear.

Steps of Demonstration method

There are 6 steps in the demonstration method used by teachers to teach history,
each of which plays an integral role in an effective end product.

Step 1: Teachers must prepare a well-structured lesson plan to maintain efficiency

throughout the task.

Step 2: Introducing the lesson within the classroom is a crucial step since it allows
students to clarify their doubts about the upcoming assignment in the
demonstration.

Step 3: The lesson should be taught keeping in mind that students will base their
future learning upon the information they receive from the teacher.

Step 4: The demonstration method is created to highlight the strengths and

weaknesses of the presenter, and helps to overcome challenges through a spirit of
discovery.

Step 5: Use teaching aids like whiteboards, graphs and charts to help explain
concepts.

Step 6: Feedback and evaluation can be included to improve the results in the next
demonstration process.

 The teacher should always try to motivate students and prepare them
mentally for the demonstration method.

Why should teachers use the demonstration method?

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 Teachers should use demonstrate method because-
 It develops an interest in the learners and fosters active engagement from
them.
 It helps in involving various senses to make learning permanent.
 Any complex topic can be easily explained with this method.
 It also involves active participation from the students.
 These demonstration methods should often be followed by a group
discussion so students get a chance to revise what they have learned during
the class.

Advantages of demonstration method of teaching History

 Encourages active learning – Demonstration method gets students

involved, making learning more interactive and interesting. This keeps their
attention and helps them understand better.
 Visualizes concepts – Seeing ideas in action helps students grasp them more
easily, especially when abstract or complex topics are involved.
 Enhances memory retention – When students see how things are done,
they’re more likely to remember the lesson. It’s like their minds take a
picture of the activity.
 Builds practical skills – By watching and then doing, students gain hands-
on experience, which is crucial for learning skills they can use outside the
classroom.
 Fosters student engagement – This method makes lessons more lively and
keeps students curious and eager to learn, as they feel part of the learning
process.

Disadvantages of using Demonstration method to teach History

 Time-consuming setup – Setting up demonstrations can eat up a lot of class

time, which might otherwise be used for discussion or practicing skills.
 Limited student participation – Students often watch instead of doing,
which means they don’t get to practice the skills being demonstrated
themselves.
 Requires resources – Demonstrations often need special materials or
equipment that may not be easily available, adding to the complexity of the
lesson.

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  Not suitable for large groups – When teaching a big class, it’s hard for
everyone to see and engage with what’s being shown, leading to a less
effective learning experience.
 Difficult to assess understanding – It’s tricky for teachers to tell if all
students have grasped the concept just by watching a demonstration, as
opposed to more interactive methods.

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 HISTORY TEACHING AID
 Teaching aid can be defined as items/ tools that supports the teaching and
learning process. Teaching aid provide meaning to a lesson thereby
making it easy for learners to understand the lesson. The following are
some of the examples of teaching aid in history.

(i) MAP STUDY

 Maps are variable tools for historians and researchers to analyze and
interpret historical events , processes and changes within the historical
context. They allow us to visualize the past and deeper understanding of how
historical events are interconnected. Below is an example of a map as a
teaching aid that show location of kingdoms.

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 ADVANTAGES OF USING MAP STUDY TO TEACH
HISTORY
Using map study to teach History
 provide learners with visual representation of how territories,
landscapes, and civilizations have evolved over time.
 Enables learners to comprehend the significance of historical events
by showing the geographical context in which they occurred. Battles,
migrations, explorations, and trade routes are better understood
when viewed on a map, allowing us to analyze how geography
influenced these events.

 Tracking Exploration and Discoveries: Historical maps are

essential in tracing the paths of explorers and the
discoveries they made. They enable learners to know the
journeys of famous explorers like Columbus, Magellan, or
Marco Polo, and understand how their voyages shaped
global knowledge and interactions.

(II)..HISTORICAL PICTURES

 Historical pictures are a great way to help students better understand a time
period or event in history. Primary sources can include documents, journal
entries, newspapers, or photographs, to name a few.
 Historical pictures can be used to compare events and people over time. For
example, you can use a photo taken during World War II with a more recent
one to show how times have changed in a particular area.
 By encouraging students to look for details, think critically, and ask
questions about the picture itself, students can begin to make connections
between what they see and what they know about the past. Through this
process, students gain a deeper understanding of the topic by being able to
relate it directly.

How to use Historical pictures to teach History

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  The teacher should introduce pictures and distribute among the learners.
 Ask your students to make observations about what they see. Questions such
as who, what, where, when, why, and how will help students gain insight
into what is happening in the picture Additionally, ask students to look
closely at the images and encourage them to question what they see:

 What is happening in the picture?

 Who is in the picture?
 What are they doing?
 What do we know about this person?
 What does this scene tell us about life during this time period? Who
was the intended audience for the original picture?

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  By asking open-ended questions, students will begin forming their own
interpretations and opinions of the image which can lead to deeper
conversations about the historical period.
 Having your students interpret what they see in the picture will help students
think critically and draw conclusions based on evidence

THE BENEFITS OF USING PICTURES TO TEACH HISTORY

 Pictures give visual learners the chance to reflect on the visual information
given to them and in turn develop their senses by examining what they can
touch or hear.
 Pictures can be used to transform abstract ideas into realistic ideas.
 Pictures can make learners more engaged in the lesson and also facilitates
further learning.
 Pictures tend to engage both sides of the brain of learners making it easier
for them to remember and recall the visual stimuli provided.
 Some learners may have problems with grasping words, but pictures may get
stored in their minds for a long period.
 Learners with different learning styles can learn easily through visual images
and pictures as it accommodates various aspects including auditory, visual
etc.

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