Sunday, January 13, 2013

Eisner - Aesthetic Modes of Knowing

Eisner wrote substantially about aesthetic forms in creating compelling experiences. In higher education, more specifically teaching, the interaction between instructor(s) and students can often get in a regular routine, making the content of the learning insignificant. The methods of teaching is often done through lectures and PowerPoint presentations. Furthermore, in a history course for example, with the fact that there are dates and specific periods in time that need to be remembered, the course can easily turn into a boring session in which students could get disinterested.

In order to make the history course a compelling experience, the instructor will need to know the content (obviously), the audience (what type/generation of students is in his/her course), technological resources (in case the audience finds it easier to learn through technology), or other compelling experiences. Nowadays, in a traditional college course, most students are compelled by interaction, discussion/engagement, and technology. Different ways to create imaginary bridges (in this case: innovative teaching methods) is simply to know the audience and what motivates it. For the history course, several ways to keep the students engaged is to involve some kind of technological platform. For example, students can answer anonymously to questions via text messages, use of technological devices such as digital camera, iPad, laptops, video camera, and/or compelling YouTube videos could be played regarding the topic of the course specifics. Other interactive teaching methods would include small groups discussions, debates, poster presentations, etc.

Eisner's book provides several great ideas and relationship between concepts in order to create compelling videos. Education is a constant changing field, with new technology, student demographic, course content, and research discoveries. Teaching pedagogies need to keep up with the consistent change that education is facing.

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