With increasing regularity, “innovation” is a term universities employ to entice students through their doors. In response to this desire for innovation, this roundtable will present specific and pragmatic examples of innovative teaching within the German language, culture and literature classroom. By the end of the roundtable, presenters and participants will have the tools necessary to integrate the examples of innovative teaching, whether it be a lesson plan or a methodological approach, in their own courses. Examples may consider the integration of technology such as the use of interactive games, online programs that enable students to create graphic novels or comics, strategies for the flipped or hybrid classrooms, or posting discussions in online blogs or podcasts. Beyond technology, examples may also consider productive ways social issues, cultural shifts and connections between the local and global landscapes are discussed in the classroom or incorporated into projects. Additionally, this roundtable invites presenters to share strategies and innovative techniques regarding student outreach, program growth and maintenance. Presenters will share their unique and creative ideas, as well as the outcomes, benefits and pitfalls of staying one step ahead in the pedagogical world.
Participants may address, but are not limited to the following:
- What types of pedagogical approaches have become possible due to new technological resources in the digital age?
- What types of experiential learning are available for German Studies?
- How can we appeal to the performative imaginations of our students?
- Which innovative activities incorporate community outreach and involvement?
- Which genres are conducive to innovative teaching?
- What methods of assessment are regarded as innovative?
- Which innovative teaching methods empower students and remind them of their agency as learners?
- Can we use the language classroom to expand student’s knowledge in areas such as critical media literacy?
- Are there innovative examples of different approaches to teaching and learning?
- How do we address cultural understanding in our unique day and age?
- How do we demonstrate an engagement with the lives of our own students and make German relevant to them?
Abstracts must be submitted through the NeMLA portal by midnight, 30 September 2017 and should be between 250-300 words long.
Melissa Etzler (Butler University)