Cultivating a Culture of Learning

Contemplative Practices, Pedagogy, and Research in Education

Edited by Kathryn Byrnes Bowdoin College, Jane E. Dalton, Elizabeth Hope Dorman

Publication date:

21 December 2017

Length of book:

120 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Dimensions:

239x161mm
6x9"

ISBN-13: 9781475836288

Cultivating a Culture of Learning: Contemplative Practices, Pedagogy, and Research in Education illustrates portraits of practice from a variety of teacher education programs, bringing together a rich collection of voices from diverse settings. Authors share their first-hand experience of cultivating a culture of learning as teacher educators and employing contemplative practices in their work with educators. Contemplative practices, pedagogy, and research are analyzed as essential components of cultivating cultures of learning in classrooms. Several chapters offer innovative models, pedagogy, and courses utilizing contemplative practices. The authors in this book advocate and express the importance of creating spaces where the inner life and qualities such as intuition, creativity, silence, and heart-centered learning are valued and work in partnership with cognitive and rational ways of knowing and being in the world. Authors explore challenges faced institutionally, with students, and personally. The insights and challenges shared in these portraits of practice are intended to stimulate conversation and engender future pedagogy and research in the field of contemplative education.
Byrnes, Dalton, & Dorman have managed to achieve throughout their 3-volume, edited collection, ideas both practical and inspiring. They offer the reader great scope and depth in describing contemplative practices from a variety of settings and perspectives. Teacher educators will understand more deeply what contemplative education is, ways to incorporate its practices, and why it is so valuable in supporting teacher education students and practicing teachers. Throughout the chapters, they provide the tools for self-transformation through experiences that move the soul, awaken the heart, and strengthen pedagogical thinking.