Beyond the Individual Cognitive Perspective: A Framework for Inclusive History Education

Abstract

Although inclusion is becoming increasingly important in history education, a theory specifically geared towards inclusive historical thinking and learning is still missing. This paper intends to contribute to this theorizing by presenting an inclusive framework on historical thinking and learning. We assume that historical thinking and learning encompass more than just an individual cognitive engagement with history. The model we present incorporates three distinct levels that must be considered in an inclusive approach to historical thinking and learning: the individual perspective, the intersubjective perspective, and support. To outline the theoretical premises of the framework, the paper first discusses the divergent understandings of inclusion and analyzes former and current research approaches towards inclusion in history education. Then, previous conceptualizations of historical thinking and learning are discussed to identify where they need to be expanded with a view to inclusion. Finally, a framework for inclusive history education is presented that builds on previous discourses and extends them with inclusive considerations regarding the individual perspective (cognition and embodiment), intersubjective perspective (communication and perspective taking) and the support structure (personnel and material assistance).