The Impact of Using Dialogue and Discovery Strategies on Understanding Ancient History: A Practical Application on the History of Mesopotamia During the Third and Fourth Millennia BCE

Abstract

Abstract:

This research aims to explore the effect of applying dialogue and discovery strategies in enhancing students' knowledge of ancient history, with a special focus on the history of Mesopotamian civilization during the third and fourth millennia BC. The research aims to evaluate the efficiency of these strategies in facing the challenge of identifying historical events in their correct time frame. The research used a quasi-experimental design, where students were divided into two groups: a control group and an experimental group, and pre- and post-tests were applied to both groups. The sample included first-year students in the College of History at the University of Baghdad. The researcher prepared a questionnaire consisting of 36 questions taken from historical texts about Mesopotamian civilization, and the results were analyzed using SPSS. The results showed that dialogue and discovery strategies had a significant positive effect on improving students' understanding of historical events, as the experimental group outperformed the control group statistically significantly in the post-tests. The researcher recommended the need to apply additional educational strategies to different time periods and civilizations to study their effectiveness in various educational contexts. Encouraging teachers and faculty members at universities and colleges of education to teach the ancient history course using the strategies of discussion, dialogue, and discovery.