Virtual Historical Thinking Institute

Posted August 15, 2025

2026 Virtual Historical Thinking Institute (VHTI)

Canada’s History, in partnership with Thinking Historically for Canada’s Future and the Historical Thinking Project are pleased to offer an engaging online professional development series for history educators interested in: 

  • Deepening understanding of historical thinking and how to apply inquiry-based learning approaches and strategies for teaching and assessing historical thinking.
  • Learning new ideas for designing effective lessons, learning activities, and resources that support teaching and assessing historical thinking.
  • Connecting with other history educators from across Canada and internationally.
  • Discussing the benefits and limitations of historical thinking and assessing new historical thinking frameworks and concepts. 

The VHTI consists of 7 online sessions that are scheduled every two weeks from January to April 2026. In each session presenters will:  

  • Introduce and illustrate key aspects of historical thinking concepts using relevant historical examples.  

  • Share resources and learning activities for teaching and assessing historical thinking concepts in different contexts.  

  • Invite participants to join breakout rooms with other participants and share experiences, discuss important questions, issues, and challenges, deepen their understanding of concepts, and generate new ideas for teaching and assessing historical thinking.  

Some sessions will also feature presentations from guest speakers, including history educators, historians, museum professionals, and teachers, who will share theoretical insights, practical ideas, and raise new questions about historical thinking.  

Intended Audience

Anyone interested in history education (i.e., the teaching and learning of history) including: 

  • K-12 history and social studies teachers.
  • Post-secondary history teachers 
  • Museum educators
  • History educators
  • Graduate students 
  • Academic and Public Historians
  • Archivists

Schedule

The English sessions will be held on Wednesdays from 6:30pm to 8:00 pm ET (3:30 pm to 5:00 pm PT). 

  • January 14, 2026: Introduction to Historical Thinking

  • January 28, 2026: Historical Significance

  • February 11, 2026: Evidence and Interpretation

  • February 25, 2026: Historical Perspectives

  • March 11, 2026: Continuity and Change

  • March 25, 2026: Cause and Consequence

  • April 6, 2026: The Ethical Dimension

The Virtual Historical Thinking Institute is also available in French.

Instructors

English sessions:

French sessions:

Fees and refund policy

Early Bird Fee: $147 ($140 + GST)

Available until December 1, 2025

Regular Fee: $183.75 ($175 + GST)

Applies after December 1, 2025

Participants who attend all seven sessions will be given a certificate of completion.

Please note that should the course be cancelled, a full refund will be issued. To withdraw from the Winter 2026 Institute, please submit a written notice by February 1, 2026 to be eligible for a full refund (less an administration fee). 

Registration

To register, fill out our online form here. You will then be asked to visit our online store to complete your payment and confirm your participation in the Winter 2026 Virtual Historical Thinking Institute.

For more information contact:
Brooke Campbell, Canada’s History
bcampbell@canadashistory.ca

Themes associated with this article

Related to Professional Learning

What’s the Story? Supporting Inquiry through Heritage Fairs

This series is designed to provide teachers with tools and strategies for helping students select meaningful topics, design strong inquiry questions, and locate and analyze relevant evidence. Teachers will also learn how to assess Heritage Fair projects effectively. Available in English and French. Dates: Oct-Dec 2025.

Article