In the centre of the IB (International Baccalaureate) Middle Years and Diploma history curriculum is a strong focus on source analysis coupled with a concept-based approach. These main concepts include cause and consequence, change and continuity, significance and perspectives. Using specified Approaches to Teaching and Learning (ATLs) focusing on communication, collaboration, organization, critical thinking, self-management and research skills, students are given the opportunity to develop historical thinking skills. As a result, studying history is approached to studying and analyzing primary and secondary sources.  

Historiana provides access to source collections in combination with large repositories such as Europeana, the Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes or the Photo Consortium. Having access to different source collections can be very useful for IB teachers researching primary sources. The source collections can be found within the Historical Content. The content can be filtered according to key moments such as World War 1, World War 2 and the Cold War, or Narratives as for example “The European Experience: Empire and Colonialism”, or thematically organized source collections. Many collections can be accessed in different languages apart from English. The filter viewpoints provides primary sources offering different perspectives which can be very helpful for teaching source analysis looking at tone, language, bias training students how to make inferences.  

Another useful tool for the IB history course is the e-learning activities and the e-activities builder. With the e-activities builder tailored and bespoke activities for specific content knowledge, concepts or skills can be created. The e-activity builder allows teachers to embed videos and links. It can be used to introduce new content, to create exit tickets or as a formative assessment tool as it allows students to write their answers using the e-activity which the teacher can then read and provide feedback.  

Apart from content and skills-related components, Historiana offers ready-to-use learning activities for teachers in the Teaching and Learning section. These activities are free to use and can be adapted. Many activities provide extension tasks. 

Finally, the Narratives section includes also teacher guides such as “The Art of Questioning”, or “Multiperspectivity in History Teaching” which provide useful guidance and background to methodologies and concepts IB teachers might want to use in their classroom. 

All in all, Historiana provides a variety of resources and ideas that IB teachers can use, adapt and develop in order to enhance their practice and the learning experience of their students.