Challenges of using sources to develop historical thinking

This article considers the importance of using sources to develop historical thinking. This research developed considering the Peruvian curriculum change, that strengths the critical use of sources. Because of this, we examined which challenges teachers identify, and must confront, in order to assure that sources are actually used to develop historical thinking. This article is primarily a reflection on the challenges teachers face when working with sources in the classroom to encourage historical thinking. Based on this reflection, some proposals are included herein. The research systematizes difficulties reported by public and private school teachers in workshops on the use of sources; as well as problems observed by the author as teachers address work with sources. It is concluded that the primary problem is a lack of understanding the relationship between construction of historical knowledge and critical analysis of a wide range of sources. This difficulty is reflected, both in designing activities for students, and in the manner teachers employ the sources.