Theology professors face a big challenge. How do you make the words spoken a few thousand years ago talk to young people today? One way is to combine the multisensory stimuli of media with the connectivity of the web and add in a large dose of community building. That’s what Dr. Rebecca Gaudino does to bring the lives of her 21rst Century students into dialogue with ancient prophets and scribes.
“Learning is really encouraged when students have a multiple of stimuli,” Dr. Gaudino says. “when [learners] can make connections between the subject matter and their own lives and their own world.” Students in her class bring together music, news casts, and photos to explore linkages between current events, song lyrics, and personal experiences with time-honored texts.
“We are whole people and our brains work as a whole system. Emotion, sensory stimuli, thought, and intuition are all a part of learning,” Dr. Gaudino says. She also employs a technique called “photovoice” in another class to allow students to find images that explore and express emotions that can sometimes be beyond words.
Listen to this fascinating conversation about Dr. Gaudino’s personal approach to teaching (Authentic Learning), her focus on engaging the whole person body, mind, and soul in the classroom, and her desire to build community within and outside of the classroom. She’s one of our favorite podcast guests for a good reason – always insightful, full of grace, and finding new ways to connect with her students.
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https://uportland.mediaspace.kaltura.com/id/0_y2uer85x?width=705&height=443&playerId=28073962
Download the episode transcript in PDF format
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Padlet – Collaborative app that allows students to share photos, images, sound files and more
Photovoice – a qualitative research technique now being used as a tool for teaching and learning. This research article from the University of Saskatchewan explains the benefits.
Mudge, Peter, David Fleming, and Terence Lovat. “The Potential Impact of the Neurosciences on Religious and Spiritual Education: Ramifying from the Impact of Values Education.” Journal of Beliefs & Values 35, no. 2 (2014): 144-154.
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UP TechTalk is a bi-monthly podcast with cohosts Ben Kahn and Maria Erb of Academic Technology Services and Innovation at UP that explores the use of technology in the classroom, one conversation at a time.