Some of history’s greatest achievements are the result of dynamic duos teaming up. Lennon met McCartney. Bert met Ernie. Marx met Engels. Salt met pepper.
And today, we’re excited to share another strong pairing for world history teachers and learners: OER Project’s World History Origins curriculum and Khan Academy’s world history videos, articles, and practice are now united in one streamlined World History course, available now for free on Khan Academy.
A world history course 250,000 years in the making
Think peanut butter and jelly. Some combinations just work, and this is one of them.
The new World History course brings together OER Project’s rigorous, thoughtfully designed World History Origins curriculum that covers 250,000 years of human history, from early human migration to the present, and Khan Academy’s accessible world history videos, articles, and practice.
One course. The best of both worlds.
Nine units take students on a journey from the earliest human communities and the Agricultural Revolution through ancient empires and the spread of belief systems across the Columbian Exchange, up through global conflict and the forces of globalization shaping our world today.
Helping students think like historians
Students don’t just learn what happened; they learn how to think like historians.
Using three powerful, analytical frames—communities, networks, and production and distribution—to make sense of the vast tapestry of human experience, students learn to explore history not as a fixed story but as a set of narratives that have been shaped by different perspectives.
Along the way, they engage in real historical inquiry. They analyze primary and secondary sources, consider multiple perspectives, and practice historical thinking skills such as the following:
- Contextualization
- Causation
- Sourcing
- Continuity and change over time
- Evidence-based reasoning
These are the skills that help students move beyond memorizing names and dates toward a deeper understanding of how the past shapes the present.
World history resources for teachers in one place
For teachers, this means less time culling information from two separate courses and more time doing what you do best: helping students make sense of history.
The new World History course is a curated, cohesive, carefully aligned experience that works seamlessly. Whether you’re covering the Columbian Exchange, the rise of empires, or the long nineteenth century, your students will be able to access strong conceptual framing and engaging video content all in one place.
Every unit also includes teacher resources to support instruction, making it easier to bring inquiry-based learning into the classroom. Whether you have used OER Project for years or it’s brand-new to you, the course is designed to help you teach world history with more clarity, structure, and support.
A stronger learning experience for students and families
For students, this course can be a study partner for the entire sweep of human history.
Use the unit framing to get oriented before choosing a topic. Turn to the videos when a reading is not landing. Use the practice to check that ideas are actually sticking. Writing opportunities help students move from “I read about this” to “I can explain and argue this using evidence.”
That is a skill that extends well beyond one history class.
For parents and caregivers, this is not a world history course that only requires memorizing names, dates, and timelines. Instead, it’s built around reading sources critically, weighing competing explanations, and making evidence-based arguments. Those are skills students can use far beyond the history classroom.
What happens to the original world history courses?
The original courses are not disappearing. They will remain accessible by direct link, so any bookmarks or saved materials will still work. They just will not appear on the course menu going forward.
Think of the new World History course not as a replacement but as a streamlined experience that brings together materials teachers and students already value.
Explore the World History course
The World History course is free and available now on Khan Academy.
Whether you’re new to OER Project or you’re a longtime Khan Academy user, we think you’re going to love what these two bring out in each other. After all, the best partnerships have a way of making history.
