Book excerpt: This comprehensive handbook combines up-to-date research - including Ofsted reports and pupil surveys - with road-tested classroom techniques to suggest how you can make your classroom a dynamic and productive learning environment. Advice is given on all aspects of history teaching, from how to plan for successful outcomes and maximise meaningful assessment, through to exciting ways to examine evidence and develop pupil interest outside of the classroom. The chapter on making effective use of ICT to teach history tackles one of the biggest challenges for teachers today: how to ensure new technologies are utilised to improve learning, without allowing the technology to detract from the history being taught. This book is perfect for trainee teachers and NQTs, but will also help experienced history teachers to make lessons inspiring and accessible to pupils with a range of specific educational needs, including pupils for whom English is not their first language, and those who are regarded as being gifted and talented.