Workshops will focus on place-based pedagogy

The Teton Science Schools’ (TSS) Teacher Learning Center, a leader in placed-based learning and innovative pedagogy, will return to the Athens Campus Nov. 18–19 to lead workshops about place-based pedagogy.

Place-based learning allows students to leave the classroom and experience a different setting. Students consider issues that affect the people, animals, and vegetation that coexist in the location, as well as the interdisciplinary influences that impact a place.

Jerry Miller, professor and associate director of undergraduate studies in the School of Communication Studies, has seen positive effects of OHIO faculty’s work with place-based pedagogy in the past. He uses place-based pedagogy to enrichen the overall student experience. Physically experiencing a place and engaging with the people and elements around it adds more meaning than would a simple discussion. Read more about place-based learning at Ohio University and Miller’s work with it.

“Place-based instruction encourages faculty and students to recognize the interdependent and inherent economic, ecological, and cultural relationships that define place,” said Miller.

Two representatives from The Teton Science Schools will facilitate two workshops focused on place-based pedagogy. Participants will become familiar with the vocabulary and practice of place-based instruction, develop usable place-based activities and share their understanding with other colleagues.

“We are excited to host our colleagues from the Teton Science Schools at Ohio University again,” said Miller. “The place-based education workshop hosted two years ago brought together more than 50 OHIO faculty, many of whom continue to work together to explore ways to emphasize place in our instruction or research, whether it be in the hard sciences, social sciences, humanities or arts. We encourage others who have an interest to take advantage of this opportunity.”

Ohio University faculty and area high school teachers are invited to register by November 12. More information about the workshops is available on the event web page. Sign up for one of the workshops, as the content is the same both days.

There is no cost to attend. Additional details will be sent to registrants in advance of the events.