Beyond the Individual Cognitive Perspective: A Framework for Inclusive History Education

Although inclusion is becoming increasingly important in history education, a theory specifically geared towards inclusive historical thinking and learning is still missing. This paper intends to contribute to this theorizing by presenting an inclusive framework on historical thinking and learning. We assume that historical thinking and learning encompass more than just an individual cognitive engagement with history. The model we present incorporates three distinct levels that must be considered in an inclusive approach to historical thinking and learning: the individual perspective, the intersubjective perspective, and support. To outline the theoretical premises of the framework, the paper first discusses the divergent understandings of inclusion and analyzes former and current research approaches towards inclusion in history education. Then, previous conceptualizations of historical thinking and learning are discussed to identify where they need to be expanded with a view to inclusion. Finally, a framework for inclusive history education is presented that builds on previous discourses and extends them with inclusive considerations regarding the individual perspective (cognition and embodiment), intersubjective perspective (communication and perspective taking) and the support structure (personnel and material assistance). Aunque la inclusión es cada vez más relevante en la enseñanza de la historia, aún falta una teoría específica sobre el pensamiento y aprendizaje históricos inclusivos. Este artículo contribuye a esta teorización presentando un marco inclusivo que va más allá del compromiso cognitivo individual con la historia. Partimos de la premisa de que el pensamiento y el aprendizaje históricos abarcan más que un mero compromiso cognitivo individual con la historia. Nuestro modelo considera tres niveles clave: la perspectiva individual, la intersubjetiva y el apoyo. Primero, se analizan las diversas concepciones de inclusión y los enfoques previos en la enseñanza de la historia. Luego, se examinan las conceptualizaciones del pensamiento y aprendizaje históricos para identificar aspectos que requieren ampliación desde una perspectiva inclusiva. Finalmente, se propone un marco teórico que integra estas dimensiones, incorporando la perspectiva individual (cognición y corporeización), la intersubjetiva (comunicación y adopción de perspectivas) y la estructura de apoyo (asistencia personal y material).