Hey History!

For kids age 8-12, a series on Australian history with stories and music. For teachers, a professional learning series called Hey History Teacher! Season 1 follows Stage 2 and 3 of the Australian curriculum, and of NSW, Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland.  Students can listen in class and use our Learning Materials designed and road-tested by a primary school educator. Go back in time to the Gold Rush. What happened at the meetings between Captain Cook and First Nations people at Kamay Botany Bay? Experience life as a convict kid, and hear how First Nations people learn on Country. Season 2 is for teachers, teacher-educators and pre-service teachers. hear conversations and advice about over 8 episodes, including teaching difficult histories, creative history teaching, approaching First Nations histories with care and confidence, complexity in history teaching, advice for new history teachers, great history teaching, and teaching the Australian Wars. These eight PD episodes are grounded in current research and features fifteen classroom educators and academics from around Australia. Hey History! is made by history professors, so you'll hear from Australia's top historians and experts. It's produced by The Australian Centre for Public History and Impact Studios at the University of Technology Sydney, in partnership with La Trobe University. Hey History Teacher! series is made with the support of the History Teachers Association of New South Wales.

  1. More than facts: teaching complexity in history

    6D AGO

    More than facts: teaching complexity in history

    You know history is complex. How do you teach that in the classroom? We unpack what 'complexity' in history means and how to bring it to life for your students. As history educator Jonathon Dallimore puts it, “Factual information… is not sufficient. Information doesn’t guarantee that you actually have insight." Because there’s the past (everything that’s happened) and then there’s history: the way we interpret, debate and make meaning of the past. You’ll hear from experienced teachers and history educator Jonathon Dallimore, on why history is complex, with examples, and how to teach contestability and historical thinking skills to junior and secondary students. Students are already debating the world around them. This is about helping them bring those skills into history. Resources and tipsheetA Practical Guide for Secondary School Teachers. By Jonathon DallimoreTeaching history, teaching complexity: Agora, Vol. 53, No. 3, Dec 2018, 36-39 (free download for members of the History Teachers Association of Victoria)‘Historical time’ helps students truly understand the complexity of the past – and how they fit into it: The Conversation https://doi.org/10.64628/AAO.nfmakjwreFree professional development tipsheet for this episode (in Teacher Downloads) VoicesEducators: Natalie Abadier (New South Wales), Sarah Coleman (Queensland) and Jonathon Dallimore, History Teachers Association of New South Wales. Host: Professor Anna Clark CreditsHey History Teacher! is supported by the History Teachers Association of NSW.Executive Producer is Professor Anna Clark.Producer is Jane Curtis at UTS Impact Studios.Sound engineering by John Jacobs.Made on Gadigal Country in Sydney Australia.

    30 min
  2. *Really* creative history teaching

    APR 1

    *Really* creative history teaching

    Want to try creative history lessons that students won’t forget? Hear expert teachers bring history alive in the classroom. From 'Top Secret' source investigations and historical group chats, to escape rooms, courtroom trials, video games, and history festivals. Ideas that spark curiosity, deepen thinking, and get students genuinely engaged. If you haven’t listened to Creative History Teaching, start there first. Then dive into this episode for more ambitious, high-impact ideas you can adapt for your own classroom. Resources and tipsheetFirst Fleet Database: University of WollongongConvicts research guide National Library of AustraliaEpic Escape Rooms ebook by Chad CaryChad Cary’s Instagram: Innovative and Engaging Teaching StrategiesChad Cary’s Facebook group: Innovative and Engaging Teaching StrategiesTeaching the World Peace Game by John Hunter: TED TalkBen Lawless’ board game for grade 6+ EarthcraftFree professional development tipsheet for this episode (in Teacher Downloads) VoicesEducators: Ben Lawless (Victoria), Chad Cary (New South Wales), David Boon (Tasmania), Paul Foley (South Australia), Natalie Fong (Queensland), and Sarah Coleman (Queensland). Host: Professor Anna Clark CreditsHey History Teacher! is supported by the History Teachers Association of NSW.Executive Producer is Professor Anna Clark.Producer is Jane Curtis at UTS Impact Studios.Sound engineering by John Jacobs.Made on Gadigal Country in Sydney Australia.

    22 min
  3. Creative history teaching

    MAR 25

    Creative history teaching

    What actually works when it comes to creative history teaching? In this episode of Hey History Teacher, we go inside real classrooms to find out - from songs and dress-ups to protest reenactments, and even stomping on a cardboard box. You’ll hear from experienced primary and secondary school teachers across Australia sharing practical, classroom-tested ideas that bring history to life, like: using songs to help students remember complex contentsharing a colour-coded Scope and Sequence so students can see what’s coming and stay motivated, andsimple, low-prep activities. We ask: What does the research say about creativity and learning?How do you balance creativity with curriculum demands?And where do you start if you’re short on time? You’ll hear how creativity helps students: remember complex contentengage more deeply with difficult historiesand connect emotionally with the past If you’ve ever wondered whether creative teaching is “worth it”, or how to be more creative in class, this episode is for you. Resources, Scope and Sequence, and tipsheetTeach like a pirate by Dave BurgessTom Appleby, Convict Boy by Jackie FrenchNanberry: Black Brother White by Jackie FrenchChad Cary’s colour-coded Scope and Sequence Word doc (in Teacher Downloads)Free professional development tipsheet for this episode (in Teacher Downloads) Lyrics of Chad Cary’s Ancient Rome song to the Brady Bunch theme songIt's the story of a man named Cato who was being such a big pain in the butts. He was blocking legislation, with the Optimates, which made the Triumviirs sad. It's the story of a man named Caesar who was rising up through the political ranks. He wanted a triumph and to run for Consul. But he could not do both. Until one day when Caesar called Pompey and Crassus. And said, "Hey boys, we should all team up! If we decide to pool our resources together." That's the way that they became the First Triumvirate. First Tri um vir ate.......... Tri um vir ate..... That's the way that they became the first Triumvirate! Research mentioned in this episode‍Cole, B., Mooney, M., & Power, A. (2013). Imagination, creativity and intellectual quality. In G. Munns, W. Sawyer, & B. Cole (Eds.), Exemplary teachers of students in poverty (pp. 123-135). Routledge. In Golledge,C . (2026) Inside the History Classroom: Portraits of Exemplary Teaching Practice Routledge. Manaf, Abdul & Dewanti, Sintha & Mam, Socheath & Susetyawati, Endang & Ernawati, Ika. (2022). Is there a correlation between creativity and learning achievement? A meta-analysis study. REID (Research and Evaluation in Education). 8. 78-89. 10.21831/reid.v8i1.51493. Baartman LKJ and Prins FJ (2018) Transparency or Stimulating Meaningfulness and Self-Regulation? A Case Study About a Programmatic Approach to Transparency of Assessment Criteria. Front. Educ. 3:104. doi: 10.3389/feduc.2018.00104 VoicesEducators: Chad Cary (New South Wales), Catherine Baron (Western Australia), David Boon (Tasmania), Christine Abadier (New South Wales), Paul Foley (South Australia), Natalie Fong (Queensland), and Megan Tucker (South Australia). Host: Professor Anna Clark CreditsHey History Teacher! is supported by the History Teachers Association of NSW.Executive Producer is Professor Anna Clark.Producer is Jane Curtis at UTS Impact Studios.Sound engineering by John Jacobs.Made on Gadigal Country in Sydney Australia.

    29 min
  4. Advice for new history teachers

    MAR 18

    Advice for new history teachers

    Starting out as a history teacher can feel overwhelming. How do you manage a classroom, cover the syllabus, and help students make sense of the past - all at the same time? Experienced history educators from across Australia share practical advice for teachers who are new to the subject. From building relationships with students and learning from colleagues, to teaching historical inquiry and source analysis, this episode offers 10 practical tips to help you feel more confident in the history classroom. Facebook groups for history teachersHistory Teachers Resources AustraliaPrimary History Teachers AustraliaHistory Teachers AustraliaAustralian 5/6 TeachersModern History Teachers NSWHSIE Teachers of NSWNorth West NSW History & HSIE TeachersNSW Ancient History Teachers CommunityDid we miss one? Please let us know State history teachers associationsHistory Teachers' Association of AustraliaHistory Teachers' Association of Western AustraliaHistory Teachers' Association of South AustraliaGeography and History Teachers Association NTTasmanian History Teachers AssociationACT History Teachers AssociationQueensland History Teachers AssociationHistory Teachers' Association of NSWHistory Teachers' Association of Victoria Resources and tipsheetTeaching History: A Practical Guide for Secondary School Teachers by Jonathon DallimoreAgora: a quarterly professional journal for history teachers published by the History Teachers' Association of Victoria (HTAV)Starter packs for history teachers by the HTAVTipsheet for this episode VoicesEducators: Sarah Coleman (Queensland), Catherine Baron (Western Australia), David Boon (Tasmania), Paul Foley (South Australia), Christine Abadier (New South Wales), and Megan Tucker (South Australia). Host: Professor Anna Clark, University of Technology Sydney About Hey History Teacher!Hear practical ideas, fresh inspiration and thoughtful conversation about how history is taught in primary and secondary school classrooms in Australia. Hey History Teacher! is for teachers, teacher-educators and pre-service teachers. You’ll hear conversations and advice about over 8 episodes, including: teaching difficult historiescreative history teachingapproaching First Nations histories with care and confidencecomplexity in history teachinghow early-career teachers can find their their feet in the history classroomgreat history teaching, andteaching the Australian Wars. It's grounded in current research and features fifteen classroom educators and academics from around Australia. Each episode comes with a free downloadable Tip Sheet to support your teaching practice. CreditsHey History Teacher! is supported by the History Teachers Association of NSW. Executive Producer is Professor Anna Clark. Producer is Jane Curtis at UTS Impact Studios. Sound engineering by John Jacobs. Made on Gadigal Country in Sydney Australia.

    25 min
  5. What is great history teaching?

    MAR 11

    What is great history teaching?

    What does great history teaching look like? Is it passion for the past? Creativity in the classroom? The courage to follow students’ questions - even when it means throwing out the lesson plan? Historian Anna Clark speaks with experienced teachers and university educators from across Australia about what great history teaching really looks like in the primary and secondary school classroom. From building strong relationships with students, to self-regulation, and being able to say, "I need more information and I'll get back to you." And, the key skills history teachers pass on to students - like asking and answering good questions, researching ethically, thinking routines for source analysis, and communicating historical arguments. Resources and tipsheetProject Zero by Harvard Graduate School of EducationSee, Think, Wonder thinking routineTipsheet for this episode Research mentioned in this episodeZuleica Ruiz-Alfonso, Jaime León, The role of passion in education: A systematic review, Educational Research Review, Volume 19, 2016, Pages 173-188, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2016.09.001. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1747938X16300343 VoicesEducators: Claire Colledge, Sarah Coleman, Ben Lawless, Chad Cary, Natalie Fong, David Boon and Catherine Baron. Host: Professor Anna Clark About Hey History Teacher!Hear practical ideas, fresh inspiration and thoughtful conversation about how history is taught in primary and secondary school classrooms in Australia. Hey History Teacher! is for teachers, teacher-educators and pre-service teachers. You’ll hear conversations and advice about over 8 episodes, including: teaching difficult historiescreative history teachingapproaching First Nations histories with care and confidencecomplexity in history teachinghow early-career teachers can find their their feet in the history classroomgreat history teaching, andteaching the Australian Wars. It's grounded in current research and features fifteen classroom educators and academics from around Australia. Each episode comes with a free downloadable Tip Sheet to support your teaching practice. CreditsHey History Teacher! is supported by the History Teachers Association of NSW. Executive Producer is Professor Anna Clark. Producer is Jane Curtis at UTS Impact Studios. Sound engineering by John Jacobs. Made on Gadigal Country in Sydney Australia.

    28 min
  6. 7. Walk for truth-telling

    06/14/2025

    7. Walk for truth-telling

    Have you ever told the truth but it felt like no one listened? This episode is all about truth-telling. Hey History! follows Travis Lovett, a proud Gunditjmara/Kerrupmara man and Commissioner at the Yoorrook Justice Commission, on a 400km 'Walk for Truth' across Victoria. Who is Travis Lovett, and why is he going on a really, really long walk?What is the Yoorrook Justice Commission?What is 'truth-telling', and how can it happen with history? Host Axel Clark and students from St Patrick’s Primary School join Travis on his Walk for Truth through Port Fairy. Hear: Why telling the truth is important—at school, at home, and in Australian history.That 'history' isn’t fixed — it changes when new voices and stories are heard.What is a 'commission'?What difference does it make when we tell the truth about history?How the Yoorrook Justice Commission has gathered stories and evidence over 4 years. VoicesTravis Lovett, Yoorrook Justice Commissioner 2021-2025Olga Lyons, Principal, St Patrick's Primary School, Port Fairy VictoriaDr Matthew Keynes, Research Fellow, Faculty of Education, University of MelbourneAunty Nellie Flagg's testimony to the Yoorrook Justice Commission (excerpt)Uncle Henry Atkinson's story shared with the Yoorrook Justice CommissionYear Three and Four students of St Patrick's Primary School, Port Fairy VictoriaRosa Ellen (voice actor for news report) CreditsHosted by Axel Clark. Made on Gadigal and Gunditjmara Country by Jane Curtis.Executive producers are Clare Wright and Anna Clark. Production assistance from Alexandra Morris.Thanks to all the students whose voices you hear in this episode and their schools and teachers: St Patrick's Primary School, Princes Street Primary school, Marrickville West Primary School, La Perouse Primary School, and Yirrkala Bilingual School. Hey History! is produced by the Australian Centre for Public History at UTS and UTS Impact Studios. Impact Studios' executive producer is Sarah Gilbert. Thank you This episode was made possible by Dusseldorp Forum, a family foundation committed to a just and equitable Australia, one that is caring, ethical and honours our First Peoples. Special thanks to Principal Olga Lyons and St Patrick's Primary School Port Fairy, Rosa Ellen, Rachel Fyfe and the Yoorrook team.

    30 min

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About

For kids age 8-12, a series on Australian history with stories and music. For teachers, a professional learning series called Hey History Teacher! Season 1 follows Stage 2 and 3 of the Australian curriculum, and of NSW, Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland.  Students can listen in class and use our Learning Materials designed and road-tested by a primary school educator. Go back in time to the Gold Rush. What happened at the meetings between Captain Cook and First Nations people at Kamay Botany Bay? Experience life as a convict kid, and hear how First Nations people learn on Country. Season 2 is for teachers, teacher-educators and pre-service teachers. hear conversations and advice about over 8 episodes, including teaching difficult histories, creative history teaching, approaching First Nations histories with care and confidence, complexity in history teaching, advice for new history teachers, great history teaching, and teaching the Australian Wars. These eight PD episodes are grounded in current research and features fifteen classroom educators and academics from around Australia. Hey History! is made by history professors, so you'll hear from Australia's top historians and experts. It's produced by The Australian Centre for Public History and Impact Studios at the University of Technology Sydney, in partnership with La Trobe University. Hey History Teacher! series is made with the support of the History Teachers Association of New South Wales.

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