A Pedagogy of Listening: Exploring the Reggio Emilia Approach and Other Learner-Centered Practices

EDU T010R Subject & Catalog Number

Description

The capacity to listen well and deeply is one of the most important—and perhaps one of the most undervalued—skills an educator can bring to the work of supporting learners in classrooms as well as in other learning environments. In this module, we will study different approaches to listening and observing that aim to support student engagement and understanding. As part of our work together, we will explore the approaches developed and practiced by educators of the municipal preschools and infant-toddler centers in Reggio Emilia, Italy—recognized around the world for their extraordinary learner-centered practices. “A pedagogy of listening” is the phrase used by Reggio Emilia educators to describe the heart of their approach. We’ll examine core elements of the Reggio approach—such as group learning and the documentation of learners’ processes and discoveries--as ways to cultivate listening. We’ll also look carefully at the studies and frameworks generated by the 25 years of collaboration between Project Zero researchers, Reggio Emilia educators, and US teachers as they sought to understand how the practices used in Reggio Emilia could be applied in a different cultural context and with students in elementary and secondary schools. We’ll experiment with various approaches to listening, observing, and documenting learning, and consider how these practices can be used in both online and face-to-face learning environments. ***IMPORTANT: Attendance at the first class is mandatory in order to continue with the course.***