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This study aimed at investigating the enhancement of motivation among low achievement students in the History lesson, after the multiple intelligence theory was integrated in teachers' teaching practices. The teachers were expected to apply a new approach with various teaching activities to motivate students to learn. The sample consisted of 68 low achievement students, who were then divided into two groups: 34 students were treated in the treatment group, while another 34 students were put in the control group. This is a quasi-experiment of non equivalent control group design. The questionnaire was distributed to students of both groups, to test the effectiveness of the integration approach. Analysis of the mean and standard deviation was conducted for both groups, while the null hypothesis was tested by the t-test. Based on the pre-test, there was no significant difference between the two groups. The post-test recorded significant motivational differences between the two groups studied. It was determined that the integrated History lesson with multiple intelligences had increased the level of motivation among students in the treatment group. This shows that diversity of methods and activities undertaken were able to change students' perception about the History subject and had increased their interests to learn History. Hence, it can be concluded that integrated multiple intelligence activities are able to increase students' motivation to learn History.

This comparative study examined student thinking skills and their attitudes towards learning History. Respondents were pre-service teachers who enrolled in the History Education Program from two education universities in Malaysia and Indonesia. The historical thinking skills (HTS) and their attitudes examined in this study are: chronological skills, facts exploration skills, imagination skills, interpretation skills and rationalization skills. A set of questionnaire was used to gain data. Data analyses involved descriptive and inferential analysis. A Cronbach Alpha score obtained from a pilot indicated that all constructs were at a high reliability level (between 0.73 and 0.89). Data collection was carried out in Malaysia and Indonesia involving 260 respondents. The results of this study demonstrated that there was a high level of Historical Thinking Skills (HTS) among teacher trainees from both countries. Detailed result indicated that Malaysian teachers have a higher level of the following historical thinking skills: facts exploration, interpretation skills and rationalization. However, results show that that none of these historical skills have statistically differences. This means that historical skills among teachers in both countries are similar. Overall, the current study suggests intensive training to promote historical thinking skills among teacher trainees from both countries. Implication towards teaching practices is discussed.

This study aims to explore the quality of Malaysian history textbooks from the perspectives of teachers and students as well as to identify the skills of using history textbooks among teachers and students. The survey respondents comprised of one hundred teachers and one hundred students that were randomly selected from national secondary schools in Malaysia. The survey used questionnaire as an instrument to collect data. Data analysis involves descriptive and inferential statistics. The results show that Malaysian history textbooks are not only used as a reference, but also as teaching aids. Although the majority of teachers and students are satisfied with the quality of textbooks, the following aspects have become an issue: quality of language, illustrations and repetition of topics. The skills of using textbooks among teachers and students are average. Overall, this study showed that teachers are not fully proficient in using the history textbooks especially in creativity and integrating the content of the textbooks with the information and communication technology (ICT). Results also showed that there was no significant difference between genders in using textbooks. This study recommends that the Ministry of Education of Malaysia should organise special training for enhancing the skills of using history textbooks for both teachers and students. This will guarantee that the history textbooks are used effectively.

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