History Teachers Knowledge in Implementing Digital Learning Towards the Implementation of Historical Thinking Skills
Authors
School of Educational Studies, Malaysian Science University, 11800 Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia (Malaysia)
School of Educational Studies, Malaysian Science University, 11800 Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia (Malaysia)
School of Educational Studies, Malaysian Science University, 11800 Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia (Malaysia)
Article Information
DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS.2026.100500259
Subject Category: History Education
Volume/Issue: 10/5 | Page No: 3746-3755
Publication Timeline
Submitted: 2026-05-02
Accepted: 2026-05-07
Published: 2026-05-29
Abstract
The use of digital learning applications in the teaching and learning process is a pedagogical approach that should be mastered by History teachers today, especially in training Historical Thinking Skills. Technological advances have encouraged teachers and students to utilize various digital learning applications to improve teaching and learning. Failure to integrate the latest digital learning applications can cause students' interest in the subject of History to decrease. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the knowledge of History teachers in applying digital learning technology to the implementation of Historical Thinking Skills in the teaching and learning of History. Historical Thinking Skills are one of the historical disciplines that need to be implemented by History teachers in the teaching and learning of History. There are five elements, namely understanding chronology, exploring evidence, making interpretations, creating imagination and making rationalizations contained in Historical Thinking Skills. This study used a qualitative method involving three study participants, consisting of secondary school History teachers in the Seberang Perai Tengah district, Penang state. Data was obtained through interviews. The results of this study show that History teachers have good knowledge in applying digital learning technology to the implementation of Historical Thinking Skills in the teaching and learning of History. This shows that History teachers have applied digital learning technology effectively, especially in the implementation of Historical Thinking Skills. This study also has the potential to be used as a reference for further research that examines the same issue from the perspective of teachers in primary schools in an effort to strengthen the use of information and communication technology in line with the development of the 4.0 Industrial Revolution. It is hoped that these findings can be used as a guide especially for History teachers, schools, policymakers, the Ministry of Education Malaysia, State Education Departments, Malaysian Teacher Education Institutions and universities.
Keywords
Knowledge, Digital Learning Applications, Historical Thinking Skills, Teaching and Learning
Downloads
References
1. Abdul Razaq, A., & Mohd Johdi, S. (2019). Teachers’ skill level in implementing historical thinking skills. Malaysian Journal of Education, 44(2), 1–15. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
2. Alias, N., DeWitt, D., & Siraj, S. (2021). Exploring digital learning tools to enhance students’ engagement in history education. International Journal of Instruction, 14(3), 587–604. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
3. Ariffin, A. M., & Yusof, M. Y. (2021). Traditional versus digital pedagogy in Malaysian history education: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of Educational Research and Practice, 11(2), 45–57. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
4. Bao, W. (2020). COVID‐19 and online teaching in higher education: A case study of Peking University. Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies, 2(2), 113–115. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
5. Bond, M., Bedenlier, S., Marín, V. I., & Händel, M. (2020). Emergency remote teaching in higher education: Mapping the first global online semester. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 17(1), 1–24. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
6. Chai, C. S. (2020). Teacher professional development for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education: A review from the perspectives of TPACK and teacher beliefs. Education Sciences, 10(11), 309. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
7. Chai, C. S., Koh, J. H. L., & Tsai, C. C. (2019). A review of technological pedagogical content knowledge. Educational Technology & Society, 22(4), 1–14. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
8. Counsell, C., Chapman, A., & Burn, K. (2025). Historical thinking: Trends, critiques, and future directions. The Journal of Social Studies Research. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jssr.2025.01.002 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
9. Djoubi, Z. (2023). 3 critical issues about technology integration. EduLearn2Change. https://edulearn2change.com/article-3-critical-issues-about-technology-integration/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
10. Ghavifekr, S., & Rosdy, W. A. W. (2015). Teaching and learning with technology: Effectiveness of ICT integration in schools. International Journal of Research in Education and Science (IJRES), 1(2), 175–191. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
11. ómez-Carrasco, C. J., Monteagudo, J., & Miralles, P. (2020). Effect of digital resources on students’ historical thinking: A systematic review. Computers & Education, 149, 103814. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
12. Gómez-Trigueros, I. M., Ruiz-Bañuls, M., & Ortega-Sánchez, D. (2024). Enhancing historical thinking through learning analytics in higher education: A mixed methods study. Education and Information Technologies, 29, 2437–2461. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-11876-w [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
13. Harris, J., Phillips, M., Koehler, M., & Rosenberg, J. M. (2024). A systematic review of reviews on TPACK: Untangling and rethinking the framework. Computers & Education, 203, 104862. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2024.104862 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
14. Hashim, H., & Yunus, M. M. (2022). Digitalising history education: Teachers’ readiness, challenges, and strategies. Education and Information Technologies, 27(7), 9473–9492. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
15. Husin, N., Ahmad, R., & Khalid, F. (2023). Digital competency and challenges among history teachers in Malaysia: Implications for 21st century learning. Asian Journal of University Education, 19(1), 233–248. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
16. Ministry of Education Malaysia. (2013). Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013–2025. Ministry of Education Malaysia. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
17. Malaysian Ministry of Education. (2025). Digital education policy. Retrieved July 30, 2025, from https://www.moe.gov.my [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
18. Koehler, M. J., Mishra, P., & Cain, W. (2019). TPACK: What it is and what it’s not. Journal of Education for Teaching, 45(2), 123–138. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
19. Ling, S., Tan, C. L., & Lee, M. F. (2023). Digital divide and online learning among Malaysian students: Bridging the gap. Libri, 73(4), 311–322. https://doi.org/10.1515/libri-2022-0118 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
20. Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. SAGE Publications.Mishra, P., & Koehler, M. J. (2006). Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge: A framework for teacher knowledge. Teachers College Record, 108(6), 1017–1054. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
21. Mohamad Johdi, S., & Ariegusrini, A. (2018). Challenges in the implementation of historical thinking skills: An analysis of the use of sources and teaching aids. Jurnal Pendidikan Malaysia, 43(2), 77–89. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
22. Mohd Mahzan Awang, Abdul Razaq Ahmad, Noria Munirah Yakub & Ahmad Ali Seman. (2016). Historical Thinking Skills among Pre-Service Teachers in Indonesia and Malaysia. Creative Education, 7, 62-76 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
23. Ngah, N., & Jusoh, A. J. (2021). The use of digital technology in history teaching and learning: Issues and challenges. Jurnal Pendidikan Malaysia, 46(1), 15–26. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
24. Ministry of Education Malaysia. (2013). Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013–2025. Ministry of Education Malaysia. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
25. Curriculum Development Division. (2015). Curriculum and assessment standard document: History Form One. Putrajaya, Malaysia: Ministry of Education. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
26. Ramírez, J., & Gordón, R. (2019). The use of digital tools to promote historical thinking in secondary education. Journal of Social Studies Education Research, 10(2), 45–67. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
27. Rashid, T., & Yusoff, M. S. (2022). The effectiveness of online learning environments in fostering students’ motivation and engagement: A systematic review. Education and Information Technologies, 27(5), 6579–6602. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-11021-3 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
28. Talin, R. (2020). 21st century teaching and learning strategies. Universiti Malaysia Sabah.Rosyidah, N., & Hashim, H. (2022). Teachers’ readiness in integrating digital tools in [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
29. teaching and learning: A Malaysian perspective. International Journal of Instruction, 15(3), 1205–1222. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2022.15366a [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
30. Hasan, S. H. (2019). Sejarah education: Philosophy, theory, and practice. Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
31. Deram, S. T., & Ahmad, A. R. (2017). Development of the 5E module in enhancing historical thinking skills. In Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Education and Regional Development 20–21 November 2017. Bandung, Indonesia. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
32. Schmid, M., Brianza, E., & Petko, D. (2021). Developing a short assessment instrument for Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK.xs). Computers & Education, 168, 104211. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2021.104211 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
33. Seixas, P., & Morton, T. (2013). The Big Six: Historical thinking concepts. Toronto, Canada: Nelson Education. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
34. Siti Nurbaizura Che Azizan, & Nurfaradilla Mohamad Nasri. (2020). Teachers’ perspectives on online learning through the Home Based Learning (HBL) approach during the COVID-19 pandemic. PENDETA: Journal of Malay Language, Education and Literature, 11(COVID-19 Special Issue), 46–57. https://doi.org/10.37134/pendeta.vol11.edisikhas.4.2020 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
35. Tondeur, J., Scherer, R., Siddiq, F., & Baran, E. (2017). Teacher educators as gatekeepers: Preparing the next generation of teachers for technology integration in education. British Journal of Educational Technology, 48(2), 479–491. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.12437 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
36. Voogt, J., Erstad, O., Dede, C., & Mishra, P. (2015). Challenges to learning and schooling in the digital networked world of the 21st century. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 31(5), 402–414. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12137 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
37. Willermark, S. (2021). Technological pedagogical content knowledge: A review of empirical studies published from 2011 to 2020. Computers & Education, 165, 104149. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
38. Wineburg, S. (2001). Historical thinking and other unnatural acts: Charting the future of teaching the past (Critical perspectives on the past). Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
39. Wineburg, S. (2018). Why learn history (when it’s already on your phone). University of Chicago Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]