More than facts: teaching complexity in history

More than facts: teaching complexity in history

From Hey History! by UTS Impact Studios

April 16, 2026 · 30 min · Season 2 · Episode 6

About this episode

This episode explores the complexity of teaching history and how to engage students in historical thinking.

You know history is complex. How do you teach that in the classroom? We unpack what 'complexity' in history means and how to bring it to life for your students. As history educator Jonathon Dallimore puts it, “Factual information… is not sufficient. Information doesn’t guarantee that you actually have insight." Because there’s the past (everything that’s happened) and then there’s history : the way we interpret, debate and make meaning of the past. You’ll hear from experienced teachers and history educator Jonathon Dallimore, on why history is complex, with examples, and how to teach contestability and historical thinking skills to junior and secondary students. Students are already debating the world around them. This is about helping them bring those skills into history. Resources and tipsheet A Practical Guide for Secondary School Teachers . By Jonathon Dallimore Teaching history, teaching complexity : Agora, Vol. 53, No. 3, Dec 2018, 36-39 (free download for members of the History Teachers Association of Victoria) ‘Historical time’ helps students truly understand the complexity of the past – and how they fit into it : The Conversation https://doi.org/10.64628/AAO.nfmakjwre…

People in this episode

Hosts: Professor Anna Clark, Sarah Coleman

Guest: Jonathon Dallimore

Topics covered

  • teaching history
  • complexity in history
  • historical thinking
  • education resources
  • debate in history

Keywords

  • history education
  • teaching complexity
  • historical interpretation
  • classroom strategies
  • debate skills

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: History Teachers Association of New South Wales, History Teachers Association of Victoria, The Conversation

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