ERIC Number: EJ1055036
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008
Pages: 4
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2368-4526
EISSN: N/A
I Light This Candle: Using Rituals in Teaching
Taylor, Laura E.
Collected Essays on Learning and Teaching, v1 p71-74 2008
The use of rituals in the classroom can enrich and enhance learning. They can also build a sense of community and belonging which in turn makes the classroom a safer place to risk sharing ideas and engaging in class discussion. Rituals also bring closure to a particular segment of the class learning experience or for the class itself. How many times have instructors taught the last class of a term or the final class of students' university education without marking this rite of passage of having completed all of the classes required for a university degree? For many students who do not attend their graduation, the last class may afford them a unique opportunity to reflect on their passage of learning for their degree. This paper suggests that the classroom offers many opportunities for building rituals. It provides examples and guidelines for creating rituals. The instructor who is willing to spend the time to engage students in these activities will enrich the subject matter and the students' learning experience. Rituals, however, need to be carefully considered to ensure that they are culturally and historically sensitive.
Descriptors: Teaching Methods, Classroom Environment, Classroom Techniques, Learner Engagement, Ceremonies, College Faculty
Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. 1280 Main Street West, Mills Library Room 504, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L6, Canada. Tel: 905-525-9140; Web site: http://www.stlhe.ca
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A