Thanh Hoa teacher sets record from 100 history flashcards

Two years of dedication led to this record.

Mr. Duong Trung Hieu, a history teacher at Ha Trung High School in Ha Trung district, Thanh Hoa province, has been recognized by the Vietnam Record Organization for setting the record of "The first teacher to conceive and create a set of 100 Vietnamese historical figures on paper flashcards" using mind mapping methods and applying them in teaching and memorizing history.

Teacher Hieu said that he never thought he would set a Vietnamese record in any specific field. During his teaching career, he noticed that many students found history to be dry, with many events and dates that were difficult to remember.

Thầy giáo xứ Thanh xác lập kỷ lục từ 100 chiếc thẻ giấy học lịch sử - 1 — Teacher Hieu with a set of paper cards featuring 100 historical figures of Vietnam (Photo: Hanh Linh).

History as a subject encompasses both Vietnamese history and world history from ancient times to the modern era, requiring teachers to change their teaching methods to make history more engaging, memorable, and easy to learn.

As a history teacher, Mr. Hieu has always been deeply committed to finding a truly unique method for teaching history.

In 2020, Mr. Hieu began brainstorming ideas to teach history using mind maps, associating images, stories, and battles. "I thought about it a lot and decided to make history flashcards out of paper," Mr. Hieu confided.

Before starting to create the flashcards, Mr. Hieu consulted many documents and read additional books to systematize basic knowledge, then condensed the information and wording to write on the cards.

Thầy giáo xứ Thanh xác lập kỷ lục từ 100 chiếc thẻ giấy học lịch sử - 2 — These history flashcards help learners memorize keywords, making it easier to remember (Photo: Hanh Linh).

After nearly two years of diligently cutting and drawing with a colleague who teaches art, Mr. Hieu has completed a set of flashcards featuring 100 historical figures of Vietnam, which he has put into use for classroom teaching.

In addition to integrating historical information about 100 figures, the flashcards designed by Mr. Hieu also help students memorize and systematize knowledge using mind maps.

"The paper phone" for history buffs

Teacher Hieu said that the set of paper cards, measuring 8cm wide and 16cm long, were designed to resemble a smartphone, with the hope of inspiring students.

"Students are very fond of phones. Instead of using them to play games, they can hold a history card, put it in their pocket, jacket, or pants, and study anytime. Studying with a card also cultivates a reading habit and keeps them away from their phones," Mr. Hieu shared.

Additionally, both sides of the card are printed with honorifics, thought-provoking questions, and complete basic information such as the person's birth year, birthplace, achievements, and role in history.

Regarding the learning method, Mr. Hieu said that the flashcards are very simple but aim for a new learning approach that uses keywords, historical stories, visual associations, and critical thinking… thereby helping learners react quickly to the knowledge.

"With one flashcard every three days, learners will have a huge amount of knowledge in a year," Mr. Hieu said, adding that he is very proud to have been awarded a certificate for setting a record by the Vietnam Record Organization and to have received public recognition and attention.

Sharing his future plans, Mr. Hieu said he will implement QR code scanning to spread a fun and engaging way to learn history. "I will try to improve it step by step. Currently, I have 100 cards about 100 historical figures in Vietnam, and next I will aim for 200, then 300 cards," Mr. Hieu said.

Thầy giáo xứ Thanh xác lập kỷ lục từ 100 chiếc thẻ giấy học lịch sử - 3 — Teacher Hieu teaches history using the mind map method (Photo: Provided by the interviewee).

Mr. Trinh Xuan Thanh, Principal of Ha Trung High School, said that Mr. Duong Trung Hieu is a teacher with a great passion for the profession.

He has made many effective contributions to innovating teaching methods, improving the quality of history lessons and other educational activities of the school. Mr. Hieu is a role model of tireless effort in innovation and creativity.

"The results of Mr. Hieu's creativity and efforts have been well received by the public. This is the motivation for Mr. Hieu to strive even harder in teaching, continue to contribute to the cause of educating people, and instill a love of history in generations of students," Mr. Thanh said.

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