The Training Needs of In-Service Teachers for the Teaching of Historical Thinking Skills in Compulsory Secondary Education and the Baccalaureate Level

Abstract

In a context of change such as that which is currently taking place in the field of social sciences education, the ongoing training of in-service teachers is an essential element. Only by bringing about a true change in their teaching practice can teaching approaches and the processes of history education be improved. The present paper aims to contrast a theoretical model with a questionnaire designed to identify the training needs of secondary and baccalaureate teachers with regard to the teaching of the historical thinking skills. A quantitative research methodology has been employed with a non-experimental design in which an exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and a hierarchical clustering analysis have been carried out. After carrying out and applying the analysis, a questionnaire (NFPA) was elaborated. Its construct validity and reliability were satisfactory and appropriate. The results will make it possible to detect and identify needs and deficiencies in ongoing teacher training. Furthermore, it will become possible to discover new elements in order to improve training processes from the point of view of in-service teachers.