Towards Powerful Knowledge in the Singaporean History Classroom

Adele Seah Pei Jia, Adelina Chandra, Aloysius Foo, Amelia Yeo Jiaxin, Andrew Anthony, Andrew Yap Ming Hwee, Ang Hui Xia, Ariel Kit Yen CHUA, Arthur Chapman, Arulushamaheswary D/O Anbalagan, Avner Segall, Ayshathun Munavvara, Bertrand Tan, Bing Sheng Wu, Bradley Soh Chun Ying, Brady Baildon, Brenda Ng, Britney Qi Wen ONG, Candice Yvette Seet Siew Yan, Celine Oon, Chee Min Fui, Chelva Rajah S N, Cheng Guan Ang, Chew E E, Chew Hung Chang, Chow Lee Tat, Christabel Hung, Chua Shuyi, Clare Brooks, Colin Leong Tze Yeen, Connie Tan Keni, David Toh Hui Han, Diah Rossy Pratiwi, Diana Cheong Sze Ing, Diganta Das, Edward Tan Yu Fan, Esther Wong Ting Wei, Eulalia Han, Evangeline O. Katigbak, Ezal Sani, Fatema Anis Hussain, Gavin Swee, Gean Chia, Goh Chor Boon, Goh Hong Yi, Goh Xin Fang, Goh Yong Yong, Gwee Yi Fen, H Doreen Tan, Heidi Tan Sheng Ting, Hui Yang, Ivy Maria Lim, J. Spencer Clark, Jackie, Jamilah Sukimi, Jane Choong, Janet Alleman, Jason Seng Yang Sun, Jean Lim Le Hui, Jeremy Stoddard, Joan Yang, Johannis Auri Bin Abdul Aziz, Julian Chang, Jun Yan Chua, K.N. Irvine, Kah Mun Yuen, Karina Lalchand Sheri, Karthikeyan Rajah Jefferson, Keith C. Barton, Kelvin Ng, Kesavan Thangam, Kevin Blackburn, Kho Ee Moi, Koh Kar Loong Kenneth, Leong Ka Wai, Lim En Qi, Lim Yi Xuan Debi, Lim Ying Xuan, Lin Yunqing, Liu Zhen, Liz Sriyanti Jamaluddin, Lloyd T.C. Yeo, Lloyd Yeo, Marek Otreba, Mark Baildon, Mashita Abdol Rahman, Mathew Lim, Michelle Lin, Nani Rahayu Mohamed, Natasha Wong, Neo Wei Leng, Ng Mui Leng, Noel T P Ong, Noer Sulistyarini, Norfarahin Binte Abdul Rahim, Nur Hazelin Idayu, Oh Ying Jie, Oi Khum Karen Chan, Ong Daphne Rachel, Ong Ka Min, Ong Zhiqing, P. Ananthi, Pang Wei Han, Paul Seah, Peh Shi Yun, Peidong Yang, Rabiah Angullia, Rindi Baildon, Ron Starker, Royce Chan, Rozanah Basrun, Samantha Lim, Samuel Wee, Sarifah Tamsir, Seng Lee Lee, Seow Yongzhi, Shaohua Zhan, Shaw Brian J., Siew Fong Ng, Sim Guo Chen, Sim Hwee Hwang, Siti Dzhawieyah, Sudheesh Balakrishna Pillai, Suhaimi Afandi, Suny Matt Gaydos, Susan Adler, Sya Feena, Syazwani Binte Amrun, Tammy ENG Jing Rou, Tan Qian Hui, Tan Say Pin, Tan Yee Ping, Teddy Sim Y.H., Teo See Hian, Teo You Yenn, Tham Chin Pang Joseph, Tharuka Prematillake Thibbotuwawa, Tricia Seow, Walter Parker, Wang Yao Chang Melvin, Wong Yi Jun, XinTong CHEN, Yang Peidong, Yee Jie Ying, Yi Fei LOH, Yi Ling Elissa Goh, Ysabel Julia M. Ortiz, Zainab Banu Hassan

Towards Powerful Knowledge in the Singaporean History Classroom

Suhaimi Afandi

Abstract

This article examines how historical knowledge can be made “powerful” – to equip our students with knowledge that enables them to understand, engage meaningfully with, and act upon the world. By outlining the features of powerful knowledge—specialised, conceptual, epistemic, and ontological—and addressing key challenges in implementing a knowledge-rich curriculum, this article considers the avenues in which historical knowledge can be made powerful for students. It then provides a practical framework for translating powerful knowledge into classroom practice. By offering both theoretical grounding and concrete exemplification, the article aims to support history educators in designing learning experiences that are conceptually rich, socially relevant, and enduring beyond formal assessment.

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Annex B

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