Abstract

In an era defined by rapid information exchange and complex global challenges, the role of education in cultivating critical thinking among young learners has never been more vital. Within this context, history education traditionally reliant on memorization of facts, dates, and figures must evolve to meet the needs of 21st-century learners. This study aims to explore and propose an instructional innovation for history learning that leverages active learning approaches to enhance critical thinking among primary school students. Using the documentary research method, this paper synthesizes a wide range of scholarly sources, policy documents, and pedagogical models to construct a conceptual framework for innovative and student-centered history instruction. The research is grounded in the theoretical underpinnings of constructivism and social constructivism, which advocate for learning as an active, contextualized process of knowledge construction. These frameworks support pedagogical strategies that prioritize inquiry, collaboration, and reflection—elements central to both active learning and critical thinking. By analyzing historical thinking models, inquiry-based learning theories, and international curricular standards, the study identifies key features of effective history instruction, including the use of primary sources, debate and discussion formats, and project-based assessments. The findings indicate that active learning in history is not only possible but highly effective in developing critical thinking skills such as source evaluation, contextual analysis, and reasoned argumentation. Empirical evidence from global contexts must including educational systems in the UK, Australia, and the United States demonstrates that when students are engaged in historical inquiry, they develop deeper conceptual understandings and are better able to analyze complex social and historical phenomena. Furthermore, national education policies, including Thailand’s Basic Education Core Curriculum (2008), emphasize analytical and evaluative learning outcomes, providing institutional support for such innovations. Key instructional models emerging from the documentary analysis include the Historical Inquiry Model, which fosters independent investigation; Project-Based Learning, which promotes long-term engagement with historical questions; and dialogic teaching strategies, which cultivate reasoning and empathy through classroom discussion. Each model places the learner at the center of the educational experience, empowering them to question, interpret, and connect historical content to their own lives and societies. These approaches contrast sharply with traditional lecture-based methods, which often fail to develop higher-order thinking skills. The paper concludes by offering a set of practical recommendations for integrating active learning into primary-level history instruction. These include professional development for teachers in active learning methodologies, the development of contextualized instructional materials such as historical case studies and source packs, and the alignment of assessment practices with critical thinking objectives. The study also highlights the importance of teacher roles as facilitators and co-learners in the classroom, requiring shifts in both mindset and instructional practice. By documenting, analyzing, and synthesizing key sources in the field, this paper provides a foundational resource for educators, curriculum developers, and policymakers seeking to innovate history education in ways that are pedagogically sound, contextually appropriate, and oriented toward the development of essential 21st-century competencies. The proposed instructional innovation aligns with global educational priorities and offers a roadmap for transformative teaching practices that empower students to think historically and critically from a young age.