The Relationship Between the Digitalisation of the History Subject and the Level of Mastery of Historical Thinking Skills (HTS): A Conceptual Framework
Abstract
The digitalisation of the History subject has become a crucial element in transforming teaching and learning practices in line with 21st-century education. This study aims to analyse the relationship between the digitalisation of the History subject and the mastery of Historical Thinking Skills (HTS) through a conceptual and literature-based approach. A systematic review of relevant academic sources, including journal articles, policy documents, and previous studies, was conducted to synthesise key findings related to digital pedagogical practices and HTS development. The findings indicate that the integration of digital technologies such as interactive media, digital simulations, and online learning platforms has strong potential to enhance students’ engagement and support the development of higher-order cognitive processes associated with HTS. However, the review also highlights gaps in existing research, particularly the limited focus on primary school contexts and the lack of comprehensive models linking digitalisation and HTS. Therefore, this study proposes a conceptual framework that explains the relationship between digitalisation components and HTS mastery. The findings contribute to the advancement of knowledge in History education by providing a theoretical foundation for future empirical research and offering practical implications for curriculum design and pedagogical innovation.
Keywords
References
Ahmad Ruslan, Sugiono, Andi, & Oky Firlana, G. E. (2023). Canva application as a learning media for history. Refleksi Edukatika : Jurnal Ilmiah Kependidikan, 13(2), 182–191. https://doi.org/10.24176/re.v13i2.8403
Al-Fraihat, D., Joy, M., Masa’deh, R., & Sinclair, J. (2020). Evaluating e- learning systems success: An empirical study. Computers in Human Behavior, 102, 67–86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2019.08.004
Ameza Musa, & Anuar Ahmad. (2025). Readiness and effectiveness of flipped learning in History teaching and learning. Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 10(1), e003194. https://doi.org/10.47405/mjssh.v10i1.3194
Ministry of Education Malaysia. (2011). Curriculum and Assessment Standard Document: Primary School History (KSSR).
Emilda Balkis Ismail, & Anuar Ahmad. (2022). Students’ readiness in applying Web 2.0 in History subject in secondary schools. Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 7(2), e001285. https://doi.org/10.47405/mjssh.v7i2.1285
Faig, E. Z. (2023). Exploring the role of technology integration in twenty- first century education. International Journal of Innovative Technology and Social Science, 4. https://doi.org/10.31435/rsglobal_ijitss/30122023/8089
Fathin Noor Ain Ramli, & Azhar Wahid. (2018). Malay Literature Education strengthens student character development. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
Fauzi Hussin, Jamal Ali, & Mohd Saifoul Zamzuri Noor. (2014). Research methodology & SPSS data analysis. UUM Press.
Firmansyah, A. (2017). The use of multimedia learning to improve students’ motivation in social science learning. International Conference on Education, 174, 456–462.
Hanita Ladjaharun, & Anuar Ahmad. (2022). Malaysia Association of Research and Education for Educators. International Conference of Research and Education for Educators (ICREE 2022 Proceedings), 31–34.
Jos, S., & Mat Salleh, N. S. (2023). The use of technology as an approach to art appreciation through digital museums. Kupas Seni, 11(2), 1– 9. https://doi.org/10.37134/kupasseni.vol11.2.1.2023
Kaviza, M. (2019). Students’ learning style tendencies in History subject: A preliminary study. Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 4(1), 82–90.
Kaviza, M. (2021). Implementation of Historical Thinking Skills in History education: A literature review. Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 6(11), 490–500.
Ministry of Education Malaysia. (2023). Digital Education Policy. https://www.moe.gov.my/dasar-pendidikan-digital
Khairi Mahyudin, & Sam Hermansyah. (2025). Enhancing Historical Thinking Skills through digital learning modules: A study of secondary school History education in Malaysia. Satmata: Journal of Historical Education Studies, 3(2), 142– 151. https://doi.org/10.61677/satmata.v3i2.449
Lia Januarsih, Dhorika Hasna, & Yohanes Elfanius. (2023). Implementation of project instruments to measure creativity in History learning using Canva platform. Journal of Education, 8(1), 35–43.
Kaviza, M. (2020). Relationship between practice and mastery of Historical Thinking Skills. Jurnal Pendidikan Malaysia, 44(1), 29–36.
Mohamed Ali Haniffa, & Nor Azlah Sham Rambley. (2023). Developing Historical Thinking Skills in Malaysian Studies course: A teacher’s perspective. International Journal of Humanities Technology and Civilization, 8(2), 132–141. https://doi.org/10.15282/ijhtc.v8i2.9778
Mohd Salleh, M. F., Othman, R., & Khan, S. B. D. (2023). Digitalisation of gallery walk using Jamboard and Google Meet during COVID-19 endemic period in Malaysia. Practitioner Research, 5, 205– 232. https://doi.org/10.32890/pr2023.5.10
Noor Farhana Mohamad, Awang, M. M., & Othman, N. (2024). Relationship between digital skills and motivation among primary school students in History learning. Jurnal Dunia Pendidikan, 6(1), 334–348.
Noraini Idris. (2013). Research in education (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill Malaysia.
OECD. (2019). OECD learning compass 2030: A series of concept notes. OECD Publishing.
Pangestu, R. S. (2024). Quiz media as an assessment tool for History learning. Journal of Education, 5(1), 39–43.
Pedro, L. F. M. G., Barbosa, C. M. M. O., & Santos, C. M. N. (2018). A critical review of mobile learning integration in formal educational contexts. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 15(10). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-018-0091-4
Rahimi, M., Rosman, M., Ismail, M. N., & Masrek, M. N. (2023). Determinants and impacts of digital library engagement in Malaysian research universities. Journal of Information Science, 21(3), 49–65.
Renuka Ramakrishnan, Norizan Esa, & Siti Hawa Abdullah. (2014). Effects of digital historical sources on historical thinking practices. International Conference of Historians of Asia, 1–14.
Revadhi Shumugam, & Mohd Mahzan Awang. (2026). Use of digital media in History learning and its relationship with Historical Thinking Skills. Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 11(2), e003793. https://doi.org/10.47405/mjssh.v11i2.3793
Rifin, F., Ahmad, A., & Othman, N. (2021). Teachers’ competency in implementing Higher Order Thinking Skills in History education. Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 6(1), 195–205. https://doi.org/10.47405/mjssh.v6i1.632
Rozhkova, A. V. (2020). Application of digital technologies in modern educational institutions. Educational Science Journal, 818–824.
Sakeenah Mohd Reza, & Mohd Izwan Mahmud. (2021). Malay Civilization Journal, 13, 1–14.
Shakila Yacob, Ahmad Kamal Ariffin Mohd Rus, & Rosilawati Zainol. (2016). The potential of digitalisation of history in Malaysia. Geografia: Malaysian Journal of Society and Space, 12(13), 61–73.
Sunthararaju, S., Ahmad, A., & Othman, N. (2024). Primary school teachers’ readiness in applying Historical Thinking Skills. Jurnal Dunia Pendidikan, 6(1), 196–211.
UNESCO. (2018). A global framework of reference on digital literacy skills. UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Wang, X., Rahman, M. N. A., & Shaharom, M. S. N. (2024). The impacts of Augmented Reality STEM module for preschool learning in China. Cogent Education, 11(1), 2343527. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2343527
Zunaida Zakaria, Abdul Razaq Ahmad, & Mohd Mahzan Awang. (2015). KSSR History curriculum: Implementation and challenges. 7th International Seminar on Regional Education, 435–445.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17509/historia.v9i1.100719
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright (c) 2026 Historia: Jurnal Pendidik dan Peneliti Sejarah
INDEXED
TOOLS

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Alamat Redaksi: Gedung Numan Soemantri, FPIPS UPI, Departemen Pendidikan Sejarah, Lantai 2, Jl. Dr. Setiabudhi No 229 Bandung, 40154






