Alistair Dickins
@alistairdickins.bsky.social
Part time professional History teacher, full time amateur dad. Once wrote PhD on Russian Revolution, now writing the Istorik teaching blog: https://istorikteach.blogspot.com/ and https://m.facebook.com/groups/1324219541631600/
Thoughts/comments my own
Thoughts/comments my own
Reposted by Alistair Dickins
How and with what effect can stories be used to introduce enquiry questions in #history?
Following @citoyenneclaire.bsky.social and @jcarrollhistory.bsky.social's excellent @histassoc.bsky.social Teaching History article on telling stories at KS5
istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/10/tell...
#EduSky
Following @citoyenneclaire.bsky.social and @jcarrollhistory.bsky.social's excellent @histassoc.bsky.social Teaching History article on telling stories at KS5
istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/10/tell...
#EduSky
Telling Stories at A-Level: Chekhov, the Cholera, and the Contempt
Stories, it seems, are in vogue in the History classroom. And for good reason. Telling a gripping tale, as Christine Counsell has recently...
istorikteach.blogspot.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:21 PM
How and with what effect can stories be used to introduce enquiry questions in #history?
Following @citoyenneclaire.bsky.social and @jcarrollhistory.bsky.social's excellent @histassoc.bsky.social Teaching History article on telling stories at KS5
istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/10/tell...
#EduSky
Following @citoyenneclaire.bsky.social and @jcarrollhistory.bsky.social's excellent @histassoc.bsky.social Teaching History article on telling stories at KS5
istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/10/tell...
#EduSky
How and with what effect can stories be used to introduce enquiry questions in #history?
Following @citoyenneclaire.bsky.social and @jcarrollhistory.bsky.social's excellent @histassoc.bsky.social Teaching History article on telling stories at KS5
istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/10/tell...
#EduSky
Following @citoyenneclaire.bsky.social and @jcarrollhistory.bsky.social's excellent @histassoc.bsky.social Teaching History article on telling stories at KS5
istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/10/tell...
#EduSky
Telling Stories at A-Level: Chekhov, the Cholera, and the Contempt
Stories, it seems, are in vogue in the History classroom. And for good reason. Telling a gripping tale, as Christine Counsell has recently...
istorikteach.blogspot.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:21 PM
How and with what effect can stories be used to introduce enquiry questions in #history?
Following @citoyenneclaire.bsky.social and @jcarrollhistory.bsky.social's excellent @histassoc.bsky.social Teaching History article on telling stories at KS5
istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/10/tell...
#EduSky
Following @citoyenneclaire.bsky.social and @jcarrollhistory.bsky.social's excellent @histassoc.bsky.social Teaching History article on telling stories at KS5
istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/10/tell...
#EduSky
Reposted by Alistair Dickins
Teachers of Russian and Soviet history!
Join us in Manchester this November for unique @histassoc.bsky.social event with 3 world-leading scholars to discuss pedagogical approaches to teaching Russian and Soviet cultures, gender and sexualities
www.history.org.uk/secondary/ca...
Join us in Manchester this November for unique @histassoc.bsky.social event with 3 world-leading scholars to discuss pedagogical approaches to teaching Russian and Soviet cultures, gender and sexualities
www.history.org.uk/secondary/ca...
Sex, symbols, gods, devils: teaching Russian and Soviet cultures, gender, and sexualities
www.history.org.uk
July 15, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Teachers of Russian and Soviet history!
Join us in Manchester this November for unique @histassoc.bsky.social event with 3 world-leading scholars to discuss pedagogical approaches to teaching Russian and Soviet cultures, gender and sexualities
www.history.org.uk/secondary/ca...
Join us in Manchester this November for unique @histassoc.bsky.social event with 3 world-leading scholars to discuss pedagogical approaches to teaching Russian and Soviet cultures, gender and sexualities
www.history.org.uk/secondary/ca...
Reposted by Alistair Dickins
Last year #HMDT refused to recognise mass killing in #Gaza, #Israel in commemorating genocide since 1945 for #HolocaustMemorialDay.
This contravenes mission of HMDT. It must not happen again.
I have written to #HMDT and urge educators do same. Letter and template follow 👇
#historyteacher #EduSky
This contravenes mission of HMDT. It must not happen again.
I have written to #HMDT and urge educators do same. Letter and template follow 👇
#historyteacher #EduSky
September 28, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Last year #HMDT refused to recognise mass killing in #Gaza, #Israel in commemorating genocide since 1945 for #HolocaustMemorialDay.
This contravenes mission of HMDT. It must not happen again.
I have written to #HMDT and urge educators do same. Letter and template follow 👇
#historyteacher #EduSky
This contravenes mission of HMDT. It must not happen again.
I have written to #HMDT and urge educators do same. Letter and template follow 👇
#historyteacher #EduSky
Last year #HMDT refused to recognise mass killing in #Gaza, #Israel in commemorating genocide since 1945 for #HolocaustMemorialDay.
This contravenes mission of HMDT. It must not happen again.
I have written to #HMDT and urge educators do same. Letter and template follow 👇
#historyteacher #EduSky
This contravenes mission of HMDT. It must not happen again.
I have written to #HMDT and urge educators do same. Letter and template follow 👇
#historyteacher #EduSky
September 28, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Last year #HMDT refused to recognise mass killing in #Gaza, #Israel in commemorating genocide since 1945 for #HolocaustMemorialDay.
This contravenes mission of HMDT. It must not happen again.
I have written to #HMDT and urge educators do same. Letter and template follow 👇
#historyteacher #EduSky
This contravenes mission of HMDT. It must not happen again.
I have written to #HMDT and urge educators do same. Letter and template follow 👇
#historyteacher #EduSky
Really excited to read this from @citoyenneclaire.bsky.social and @jcarrollhistory.bsky.social! A really important question being asked - what can the role of storytelling be in #history teaching?
September 25, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Really excited to read this from @citoyenneclaire.bsky.social and @jcarrollhistory.bsky.social! A really important question being asked - what can the role of storytelling be in #history teaching?
Yep. And jail time would be most welcome for international war criminals and their backers who wash their corrupt wealth through sports teams. We can but hope...
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Independent Football Regulator could seek prison sentences for rogue club owners
Rogue owners in English football could be imprisoned for the most serious violations of the Football Governance Act under plans set out by the new IFR
www.theguardian.com
September 4, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Yep. And jail time would be most welcome for international war criminals and their backers who wash their corrupt wealth through sports teams. We can but hope...
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Reposted by Alistair Dickins
On this day in #history 1939, Nazi Germany invaded Poland, triggering war with Britain and France.
But was this really the start of #WWII? Reflections on the chronology of war (case of #USSR)
istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...
But was this really the start of #WWII? Reflections on the chronology of war (case of #USSR)
istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...
The Soviet Union at War: Contested Chronologies of World War Two
Dates of events might be considered objective facts, open to neither debate nor contestation. Yet periodisation – that is, setting the st...
istorikteach.blogspot.com
September 1, 2025 at 4:58 AM
On this day in #history 1939, Nazi Germany invaded Poland, triggering war with Britain and France.
But was this really the start of #WWII? Reflections on the chronology of war (case of #USSR)
istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...
But was this really the start of #WWII? Reflections on the chronology of war (case of #USSR)
istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...
On this day in #history 1939, Nazi Germany invaded Poland, triggering war with Britain and France.
But was this really the start of #WWII? Reflections on the chronology of war (case of #USSR)
istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...
But was this really the start of #WWII? Reflections on the chronology of war (case of #USSR)
istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...
The Soviet Union at War: Contested Chronologies of World War Two
Dates of events might be considered objective facts, open to neither debate nor contestation. Yet periodisation – that is, setting the st...
istorikteach.blogspot.com
September 1, 2025 at 4:58 AM
On this day in #history 1939, Nazi Germany invaded Poland, triggering war with Britain and France.
But was this really the start of #WWII? Reflections on the chronology of war (case of #USSR)
istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...
But was this really the start of #WWII? Reflections on the chronology of war (case of #USSR)
istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...
Reposted by Alistair Dickins
Teachers of Russian and Soviet #History! Russian-language words got you flummoxed? Our spoken dictionary and pronounciation guide might come in handy.
200+ terms with audio recordings, free to use and access 👇
istorikteach.blogspot.com/p/spoken-dic...
#historyteacher #EduSky #historyeducation
200+ terms with audio recordings, free to use and access 👇
istorikteach.blogspot.com/p/spoken-dic...
#historyteacher #EduSky #historyeducation
Spoken Dictionary and Pronunciation Guide
“Saying it right” is a particular challenge for teachers of Russian and Soviet History. However familiar we are with the content and conce...
istorikteach.blogspot.com
August 30, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Teachers of Russian and Soviet #History! Russian-language words got you flummoxed? Our spoken dictionary and pronounciation guide might come in handy.
200+ terms with audio recordings, free to use and access 👇
istorikteach.blogspot.com/p/spoken-dic...
#historyteacher #EduSky #historyeducation
200+ terms with audio recordings, free to use and access 👇
istorikteach.blogspot.com/p/spoken-dic...
#historyteacher #EduSky #historyeducation
Teachers of Russian and Soviet #History! Russian-language words got you flummoxed? Our spoken dictionary and pronounciation guide might come in handy.
200+ terms with audio recordings, free to use and access 👇
istorikteach.blogspot.com/p/spoken-dic...
#historyteacher #EduSky #historyeducation
200+ terms with audio recordings, free to use and access 👇
istorikteach.blogspot.com/p/spoken-dic...
#historyteacher #EduSky #historyeducation
Spoken Dictionary and Pronunciation Guide
“Saying it right” is a particular challenge for teachers of Russian and Soviet History. However familiar we are with the content and conce...
istorikteach.blogspot.com
August 30, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Teachers of Russian and Soviet #History! Russian-language words got you flummoxed? Our spoken dictionary and pronounciation guide might come in handy.
200+ terms with audio recordings, free to use and access 👇
istorikteach.blogspot.com/p/spoken-dic...
#historyteacher #EduSky #historyeducation
200+ terms with audio recordings, free to use and access 👇
istorikteach.blogspot.com/p/spoken-dic...
#historyteacher #EduSky #historyeducation
Reposted by Alistair Dickins
Did World War Two really begin in 1939 and end in 1945?
Reflections on the #Soviet experience of war and questions of chronology and interpretation, drawing on excellent book by @edelemark.bsky.social: istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...
#history #EduSky #WWII #historyteacher
Reflections on the #Soviet experience of war and questions of chronology and interpretation, drawing on excellent book by @edelemark.bsky.social: istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...
#history #EduSky #WWII #historyteacher
The Soviet Union at War: Contested Chronologies of World War Two
Dates of events might be considered objective facts, open to neither debate or contestation. Yet periodisation – that is, setting the sta...
istorikteach.blogspot.com
August 23, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Did World War Two really begin in 1939 and end in 1945?
Reflections on the #Soviet experience of war and questions of chronology and interpretation, drawing on excellent book by @edelemark.bsky.social: istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...
#history #EduSky #WWII #historyteacher
Reflections on the #Soviet experience of war and questions of chronology and interpretation, drawing on excellent book by @edelemark.bsky.social: istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...
#history #EduSky #WWII #historyteacher
Did World War Two really begin in 1939 and end in 1945?
Reflections on the #Soviet experience of war and questions of chronology and interpretation, drawing on excellent book by @edelemark.bsky.social: istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...
#history #EduSky #WWII #historyteacher
Reflections on the #Soviet experience of war and questions of chronology and interpretation, drawing on excellent book by @edelemark.bsky.social: istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...
#history #EduSky #WWII #historyteacher
The Soviet Union at War: Contested Chronologies of World War Two
Dates of events might be considered objective facts, open to neither debate or contestation. Yet periodisation – that is, setting the sta...
istorikteach.blogspot.com
August 23, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Did World War Two really begin in 1939 and end in 1945?
Reflections on the #Soviet experience of war and questions of chronology and interpretation, drawing on excellent book by @edelemark.bsky.social: istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...
#history #EduSky #WWII #historyteacher
Reflections on the #Soviet experience of war and questions of chronology and interpretation, drawing on excellent book by @edelemark.bsky.social: istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...
#history #EduSky #WWII #historyteacher
Reposted by Alistair Dickins
Does continuity in #history really mean "nothing happens"?
Exploratory blog post makes case for a dynamic understanding of continuity as a disciplinary concept
Thanks @citoyenneclaire.bsky.social for thoughts on earlier draft!
istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/08/what...
#historyteacher #EduSky
🧵
Exploratory blog post makes case for a dynamic understanding of continuity as a disciplinary concept
Thanks @citoyenneclaire.bsky.social for thoughts on earlier draft!
istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/08/what...
#historyteacher #EduSky
🧵
What happens when “nothing happens”? Rethinking continuity as a dynamic process
Claire Holliss was kind enough to offer her thoughts and critique on an earlier draft of this and the subsequent post, which were signific...
istorikteach.blogspot.com
August 18, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Does continuity in #history really mean "nothing happens"?
Exploratory blog post makes case for a dynamic understanding of continuity as a disciplinary concept
Thanks @citoyenneclaire.bsky.social for thoughts on earlier draft!
istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/08/what...
#historyteacher #EduSky
🧵
Exploratory blog post makes case for a dynamic understanding of continuity as a disciplinary concept
Thanks @citoyenneclaire.bsky.social for thoughts on earlier draft!
istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/08/what...
#historyteacher #EduSky
🧵
Reposted by Alistair Dickins
Even when things change dramatically, they often also stay the same.
What can the story of the "mad baron" Ungern reveal about continuities of Russian history in early 20th century?
Follow-up post on dynamic continuity.
istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...
#history #historyteacher #EduSky
What can the story of the "mad baron" Ungern reveal about continuities of Russian history in early 20th century?
Follow-up post on dynamic continuity.
istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...
#history #historyteacher #EduSky
The Baron’s Cloak: A Study in Dynamic Continuity?
In my previous post , I made the case for a more dynamic understanding of historical continuity. Having tried to illustrate what this might ...
istorikteach.blogspot.com
August 20, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Even when things change dramatically, they often also stay the same.
What can the story of the "mad baron" Ungern reveal about continuities of Russian history in early 20th century?
Follow-up post on dynamic continuity.
istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...
#history #historyteacher #EduSky
What can the story of the "mad baron" Ungern reveal about continuities of Russian history in early 20th century?
Follow-up post on dynamic continuity.
istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...
#history #historyteacher #EduSky
Even when things change dramatically, they often also stay the same.
What can the story of the "mad baron" Ungern reveal about continuities of Russian history in early 20th century?
Follow-up post on dynamic continuity.
istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...
#history #historyteacher #EduSky
What can the story of the "mad baron" Ungern reveal about continuities of Russian history in early 20th century?
Follow-up post on dynamic continuity.
istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...
#history #historyteacher #EduSky
The Baron’s Cloak: A Study in Dynamic Continuity?
In my previous post , I made the case for a more dynamic understanding of historical continuity. Having tried to illustrate what this might ...
istorikteach.blogspot.com
August 20, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Even when things change dramatically, they often also stay the same.
What can the story of the "mad baron" Ungern reveal about continuities of Russian history in early 20th century?
Follow-up post on dynamic continuity.
istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...
#history #historyteacher #EduSky
What can the story of the "mad baron" Ungern reveal about continuities of Russian history in early 20th century?
Follow-up post on dynamic continuity.
istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...
#history #historyteacher #EduSky
Does continuity in #history really mean "nothing happens"?
Exploratory blog post makes case for a dynamic understanding of continuity as a disciplinary concept
Thanks @citoyenneclaire.bsky.social for thoughts on earlier draft!
istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/08/what...
#historyteacher #EduSky
🧵
Exploratory blog post makes case for a dynamic understanding of continuity as a disciplinary concept
Thanks @citoyenneclaire.bsky.social for thoughts on earlier draft!
istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/08/what...
#historyteacher #EduSky
🧵
What happens when “nothing happens”? Rethinking continuity as a dynamic process
Claire Holliss was kind enough to offer her thoughts and critique on an earlier draft of this and the subsequent post, which were signific...
istorikteach.blogspot.com
August 18, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Does continuity in #history really mean "nothing happens"?
Exploratory blog post makes case for a dynamic understanding of continuity as a disciplinary concept
Thanks @citoyenneclaire.bsky.social for thoughts on earlier draft!
istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/08/what...
#historyteacher #EduSky
🧵
Exploratory blog post makes case for a dynamic understanding of continuity as a disciplinary concept
Thanks @citoyenneclaire.bsky.social for thoughts on earlier draft!
istorikteach.blogspot.com/2025/08/what...
#historyteacher #EduSky
🧵
Story of targeted assassination and murder of #Gaza journalists by #IDF has become prominent in UK news in last couple of days. This is one of the stories behind that story, from Israeli-Palestinian outlet @972mag.com 👇
www.972mag.com/israel-hamas...
www.972mag.com/israel-hamas...
Israel's tried-and-true tactics to smear Gazan journalists as Hamas
Ahead of the planned invasion of Gaza City, killing Anas Al-Sharif is the latest step in Israel's campaign to erase Gaza's witnesses and prevent accountability.
www.972mag.com
August 16, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Story of targeted assassination and murder of #Gaza journalists by #IDF has become prominent in UK news in last couple of days. This is one of the stories behind that story, from Israeli-Palestinian outlet @972mag.com 👇
www.972mag.com/israel-hamas...
www.972mag.com/israel-hamas...
Evidently words matter...
...except when used by xenophobic front-bench politicians appealing to votes from the far right. #shame
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
...except when used by xenophobic front-bench politicians appealing to votes from the far right. #shame
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
BBC apologises after Robert Jenrick accused of xenophobia
A contributor to Radio 4's Thought for the Day slot made the remark about the shadow justice secretary.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 13, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Evidently words matter...
...except when used by xenophobic front-bench politicians appealing to votes from the far right. #shame
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
...except when used by xenophobic front-bench politicians appealing to votes from the far right. #shame
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It's 31 years since Rwanda, when failure to describe genocide in Africa as genocide allowed Western powers to ignore international obligations to step in and prevent killing.
This is what is now happening in Sudan, on watch of UK govt and other democracies 👇
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
This is what is now happening in Sudan, on watch of UK govt and other democracies 👇
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
‘They slaughtered us like animals’: the inside story of how one of the biggest atrocities of the Sudan war unfolded in Zamzam
As the UK prepared to host a global summit on bringing peace to Sudan, the RSF paramilitary began a ‘genocidal’ massacre in Zamzam refugee camp. But when reports emerged of the killings, London held i...
www.theguardian.com
August 7, 2025 at 4:50 PM
It's 31 years since Rwanda, when failure to describe genocide in Africa as genocide allowed Western powers to ignore international obligations to step in and prevent killing.
This is what is now happening in Sudan, on watch of UK govt and other democracies 👇
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
This is what is now happening in Sudan, on watch of UK govt and other democracies 👇
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
A timely, frank, and devastating condemnation of hypocrisy underpinning UK govt. policy on Gaza/Israel: "We remind the UK government that its own most urgent priorities should already be determined by its binding obligation “to prevent and to punish” genocide."
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
Palestine Action ban is an attack on fundamental freedoms | Letter
A letter from 52 scholars including Tariq Ali, Judith Butler, Angela Davis, Naomi Klein and Avi Shlaim
www.theguardian.com
August 6, 2025 at 5:38 PM
A timely, frank, and devastating condemnation of hypocrisy underpinning UK govt. policy on Gaza/Israel: "We remind the UK government that its own most urgent priorities should already be determined by its binding obligation “to prevent and to punish” genocide."
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
Declaration today by B'Tselem and PHRI that #genocide is being committed in #Gaza confirms growing consensus by human rights groups. Next year, we in #education must reflect this when teaching genocide since #Holocaust. This means we must also challenge prior policy of silence on matter by HMDT
🧵
🧵
July 28, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Declaration today by B'Tselem and PHRI that #genocide is being committed in #Gaza confirms growing consensus by human rights groups. Next year, we in #education must reflect this when teaching genocide since #Holocaust. This means we must also challenge prior policy of silence on matter by HMDT
🧵
🧵
I've been spending a bit of time thinking about continuity as a disciplinary concept. My practice has tended towards a simplistic continuity = lack of chance model, which I'm keen to move beyond. Does anyone have any reading recommendations for more nuanced/complex approaches? Thanks in advance!
July 20, 2025 at 8:05 PM
I've been spending a bit of time thinking about continuity as a disciplinary concept. My practice has tended towards a simplistic continuity = lack of chance model, which I'm keen to move beyond. Does anyone have any reading recommendations for more nuanced/complex approaches? Thanks in advance!