Key features of HistoryLab.cz

A strong guarantee of effectiveness

• HistoryLab.cz effectiveness has been tested and evaluated at two levels: first by researchers, and then through wide-scale usage by Czech teachers
  • Each activity was developed, evaluated by at least two different researchers in history didactics, and then piloted at least five times with multiple teachers, school types, and student levels
  • Thousands of Czech history teachers used HistoryLab.cz during the Covid-19 pandemic, and they offered feedback based on their experiences
• At both stages, the activities were modified based on feedback
  • Testing in the field with Czech history teachers led to changes in, for example, the wording of questions within the activities, the choice of tool to use within the activity, or even the choice of historical sources (if one was shown not to work effectively)
• The resulting set of activities is thus fully tested and proven to work in real classrooms

Proven to work for teacher training

• Teachers in training can be assigned to the role of student or teacher, so they can experience the activities both ways
  • By using HistoryLab, teachers in training and education students can learn the methods upon which it is established
• HistoryLab’s suitability for teacher training has been successfully tested and is thus guaranteed in the Czech environment

Thoroughly based in pedagogical theory

• Each activity is fully developed and ready to use, without any outside preparatory work by the teacher
  • Only teachers are required to make an account on the website, which allows them to track the activities of their students
• Each activity acts as its own complete package, so students can fully immerse themselves without having to search for additional information elsewhere
• The activities use a variety of different types of historical sources (photos, maps, radio broadcasts, etc.) and tools to analyze them, so teachers can return to the website without worrying about the work becoming repetitive

Flexibility in working modes

• Students and teachers can complete the activities in numerous ways:
  • In class, with the teacher leading the class as a group through the activities
  • In class, working independently or in small groups
  • Individually as homework: teachers can assign activities to students by email or through the Learning Management System (LMS)
• The activities have different levels of difficulty, so teachers can choose to do them with their classes in different working modes

A wide variety of topics for teachers to choose from

• In Czech, HistoryLab.cz offers more than 150 activities covering thousands of years of history
  • 10 activities have now been translated and are fully available for use in English
  • Currently, selected activities are also available as a preview in Slovak and Polish
• Main focus: 20th century history
  • The activities are sufficient to serve as the main tool for all Czech curricular needs related to the 20th century: they address the key events, processes, and trends of the 20th century from multiple perspectives
  • HistoryLab serves as an exemplary learning tool for a new Czech history curriculum, starting as a pilot in 2025 (see for instance here in Czech)
• All activities in English have been both linguistically and culturally translated, so that they will be useful across national borders
  • The Czech version has a deeper focus on Czech and Czechoslovak history; we have only chosen activities with this focus to be translated if they have broader international relevance