History teaching in Malta and a sample history study pack designed for form 3 students

Abstract

This dissertation attempts to evaluate future prospects for a new history textbook as part of a study pack for use in History Teaching. Discussions and Suggestions about a modem textbook are outlined with special focus on a supportive study pack to go with it. The first chapter briefly aims at tracing the evolution of history teaching in Malta from the 1840's to the present. This is an overview of what happened to schools throughout this period. The second chapter delves into the educational resources which should form part of the history teacher's baggage when delivering history lessons in a modem fashion, namely the textbook and a wide variety of material included in a study pack. Chapter 3 discusses the current history textbook used in the Maltese Secondary Schools i.e. 'Grajjet Malta' series, while Chapter 4 analyses the questionnaire set up to get the teachers views and the problems they encounter in the teaching of history in their classes. In Chapter 5 prospects and possibilities as regards a new textbook and study pack are discussed supported by suggestions offered by the teachers and the present authors. Appendices include the questionnaire, the figures plotted from the questionnaire and a sample of the study pack comprising of the teachers' book, the students' textbook, and accompanying worksheets. It is hoped that this work will provoke interest in teachers and persons responsible for the teaching of history in Malta and therefore find this dissertation useful for future planning.