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Reimagining history teaching in the digital age: Engaging “disengaged” learners through critical pedagogy and generative artificial intelligence

Sayı: 1 8 Ağustos 2026
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Reimagining history teaching in the digital age: Engaging “disengaged” learners through critical pedagogy and generative artificial intelligence

Öz

This paper critically examines the teaching of History in secondary schools in rural and township contexts in South Africa, focusing on persistent learner disengagement within an increasingly digitised educational landscape shaped by the rise of Generative Artificial Intelligence. Drawing on constructivism, critical pedagogy and creativity as an integrated theoretical framework, the paper interrogates dominant pedagogical practices and historical narratives that continue to shape History classrooms amid rapid technological change. It offers a reflective and analytical discussion informed by existing scholarship, curriculum and policy documents, emerging debates on AI in education and the author’s professional experience as a History educator. It argues that traditional, teacher-centred approaches are increasingly misaligned with learners’ digital realities, limiting historical consciousness, critical thinking and relevance, advocating for a pedagogical reimagining of History teaching that foregrounds curiosity, creativity, humour, ethical digital literacy and the inclusion of multiple perspectives, positioning generative AI as a mediating tool rather than a pedagogical threat. By reconceptualising the roles of teachers, learners and knowledge resources in the 21st century History classroom, it contributes to ongoing debates on how History education can be made more inclusive, meaningful and socially responsive in the context of deepening technological and educational inequalities, particularly in under-resourced schools.

Anahtar Kelimeler

history education, generative artificial intelligence, creative pedagogy, critical thinking

Etik Beyan

This paper is conceptual in nature and does not involve collecting primary data, human participants or empirical fieldwork. Therefore, formal ethics committee approval was not required for this study. The paper draws solely on existing published scholarship, publicly available curriculum and policy documents, and the author's professional reflective experience as a History educator. All sources have been appropriately cited and acknowledged in accordance with applicable copyright and academic integrity standards. The author confirms that this work has been prepared in compliance with all relevant ethical guidelines governing academic research and publication.

Kaynakça

  1. Abd Hamid, A., Ahmad, A. R., & Awang, M. M. (2019). Concept, issues and challenges for effective facilitations in History education. Global Conferences Series: Social Sciences, Education and Humanities, 2, 176–181. https://doi.org/10.32698/GCS.0193
  2. Akhtar, M. A. K., Kumar, M., & Nayyar, A. (2024). Challenges in developing ethical and socially responsible explainable AI. In Towards ethical and socially responsible explainable AI: Challenges and opportunities (pp. 69–98). Springer Nature Switzerland.
  3. Ambrose, S. E. (2002). To America: Personal reflections of an historian. Simon & Schuster.
  4. American Historical Association Ad Hoc Committee, 'Guiding Principles for Artificial Intelligence in History Education'. (2025). https://www.historians.org/resource/guiding-principles-for-artificial-intelligence-in-history-education/
  5. Ardiansyah, W., & Ujihanti, M. (2017). Constructivism and its perspectives related to teaching and learning process in the classroom: A conceptual framework. Tarbawy: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 4(1), 117–143. https://doi.org/10.32923/tarbawy.v4i1.815
  6. Bates, T., Cobo, C., Mariño, O., & Wheeler, S. (2020). Can artificial intelligence transform higher education? International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 17, 42. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-020-00218-x
  7. Bearman, M., Ryan, J., & Ajjawi, R. (2023). Discourses of artificial intelligence in higher education: A critical literature review. Higher Education, 86(2), 369–385. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-022-00937-2
  8. Chimbunde, P., & Brown, B. (2025). Teaching school history in post-colonial Southern Africa: A decolonial review of teacher education challenges. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 24(7), 696–716. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.24.7.34
  9. Department of Basic Education. (2011). Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS): History Grades 10–12. Republic of South Africa. https://www.education.gov.za/Portals/0/CD/National%20Curriculum%20Statements%20and%20Vocational/CAPS%20FET%20%20HISTORY%20GR%2010-12%20%20WeB.pdf
  10. Dewa, A. (2024). Artificial intelligence for educational sustainability in the South African school system: A bibliometric analysis and literature review. International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology, 20(3), 60–78. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1461864.pdf

Kaynak Göster

APA
Nyathi, P. A. (2026). Reimagining history teaching in the digital age: Engaging “disengaged” learners through critical pedagogy and generative artificial intelligence. Turkish History Education Journal, 1, 217-236. https://doi.org/10.17497/tuhed.1890436
AMA
1.Nyathi PA. Reimagining history teaching in the digital age: Engaging “disengaged” learners through critical pedagogy and generative artificial intelligence. TUHED. 2026;(1):217-236. doi:10.17497/tuhed.1890436
Chicago
Nyathi, Patrick Alpheous. 2026. “Reimagining history teaching in the digital age: Engaging ‘disengaged’ learners through critical pedagogy and generative artificial intelligence”. Turkish History Education Journal, sy 1: 217-36. https://doi.org/10.17497/tuhed.1890436.
EndNote
Nyathi PA (01 Ağustos 2026) Reimagining history teaching in the digital age: Engaging “disengaged” learners through critical pedagogy and generative artificial intelligence. Turkish History Education Journal 1 217–236.
IEEE
[1]P. A. Nyathi, “Reimagining history teaching in the digital age: Engaging ‘disengaged’ learners through critical pedagogy and generative artificial intelligence”, TUHED, sy 1, ss. 217–236, Ağu. 2026, doi: 10.17497/tuhed.1890436.
ISNAD
Nyathi, Patrick Alpheous. “Reimagining history teaching in the digital age: Engaging ‘disengaged’ learners through critical pedagogy and generative artificial intelligence”. Turkish History Education Journal. 1 (01 Ağustos 2026): 217-236. https://doi.org/10.17497/tuhed.1890436.
JAMA
1.Nyathi PA. Reimagining history teaching in the digital age: Engaging “disengaged” learners through critical pedagogy and generative artificial intelligence. TUHED. 2026;:217–236.
MLA
Nyathi, Patrick Alpheous. “Reimagining history teaching in the digital age: Engaging ‘disengaged’ learners through critical pedagogy and generative artificial intelligence”. Turkish History Education Journal, sy 1, Ağustos 2026, ss. 217-36, doi:10.17497/tuhed.1890436.
Vancouver
1.Patrick Alpheous Nyathi. Reimagining history teaching in the digital age: Engaging “disengaged” learners through critical pedagogy and generative artificial intelligence. TUHED. 01 Ağustos 2026;(1):217-36. doi:10.17497/tuhed.1890436