• Professional Learning
  • HTAV 2025 VCE History Conference
  • Professional Learning Events
  • On-Demand Professional Learning
  • Present for HTAV
  • Professional Teaching Standards
  • Previous HTAV Conferences

On-demand History Teaching Masterclass: Every Teacher and Student Can Understand Historical Interpretations! - 29 Nov 24

Did you miss out on the latest History Teaching Masterclass? Register today to access the recording and share this insightful conversation between two opposing historians with your students.

Working with historical interpretations is not about inserting ‘quotes’ into an essay. It is about understanding why two historians can examine the same event, or even the same source, and draw different meaning from it.

To illustrate this in a memorable way, HTAV has invited two historians to discuss a single source. They will talk about the prior knowledge, interests and beliefs they brought to reading the source, and explain the basis of their agreements and disagreements about what it says and why it is historically significant.

They will also discuss how the process of ‘contesting historical interpretations’ is understood by historians, and the importance of respectful discussions with people who disagree with us.

The primary source will be Australian but the discussion will provide insights for all History teachers and students, and will model a feisty difference of interpretation that is grounded in respect and evidence.

Teachers are encouraged to share the recording of this special edition of the History Teaching Masterclass with their students.

Registrations close Friday 22 November.

Recording access will be provided within 3 business days of registering. The recording will be available online until Friday 29 November.

Non HTAV Member	$145
HTAV Individual Member	$73	50% off the non-member rate
HTAV School Member	$94	35% off the non-member rate
HTAV Pre-service Teacher Member	$29	80% off the non-member rate

* All prices include GST.

HTAV ABN: 44 005 739 239

---

Program

Welcome

Contesting Historical Interpretations Dr Nicholas Ferns, Monash University and Dr Ebony Nilsson, Australian Catholic University Dr Nicholas Ferns is an ARC DECRA Research Fellow in History at Monash University. He is a historian of post-war Australia, with a particular emphasis on Australia's post-war economic boom and its regional role in the Pacific. His research has been published in Australian and international journals, and his first book, Australia in the Age of International Development, 1945-1975 was published by Palgrave in 2020. Dr Ebony Nilsson is a historian at Australian Catholic University in Melbourne. She works on the history of Australia following the Second World War, particularly in the areas of immigration and surveillance. She generally considers herself a social and cultural historian, so she likes to ask questions about how ordinary people experienced and thought about big historical events and ideas.

Please note: The views and advice presented at HTAV events are not necessarily the views of HTAV. Teachers should use their professional judgement to decide whether to implement or apply what they learn.

Some presenters may use modified extracts from the Victorian Curriculum F–10. These may include the work of other authors. The VCAA does not endorse nor verify the accuracy of the information provided and accepts no responsibility for incomplete or inaccurate information. You can find the most up to date version of the Victorian Curriculum at victoriancurriculum.vcaa.vic.edu.au.

Event Location:	Online
Registrations Open:	21 Aug 24 8:00 AM
Registrations Close:	22 Nov 24 11:55 PM