Abstract
In this paper, we share interview and focus group data from a qualitative multi-case study underway with teachers and students engaged in university-based professional education courses that incorporate popular culture texts (e.g., film, television, music). By “professional education,” we refer to programs delivered in education, nursing, social work, and other fields related to practice. Rather than attending to popular culture resources as texts that can be analysed according to genre, theme or other elements, we are interested in how instructors create ties between cultural texts and core theories, concepts, and sensitive issues covered in the course and regarded as relevant to the development of practitioners who embrace critical thinking, analysis, and reflection—qualities of curiosity that signal responsible, ethical, humane practice. Teacher participants discussed why they used cultural texts, how they used them, and how they saw their use contributing to learning outcomes. Student participants discussed their experience in these classes and how engaging with the cultural texts supported their learning. There were areas of both convergence and divergence of teachers’ and students’ experiences and recollections, as well as some cautionary notes for instructors contemplating this sort of pedagogical move. In structuring this presentation, we put teachers and learners in dialogue to explore complexities that surface when using popular culture texts as pedagogical resources in professional education. Although we spoke separately with instructors and students, we use data gathered with both groups to bring them into conversation with one another.
Presenters
Donna RooneySenior Lecturer, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Francesca Patten
Student, PhD in Educational Research, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada Kaela Jubas
Associate Professor, Werklund School of Education/Adult Learning, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Cultural Texts, Professional Education, Critical Thinking, Pop Culture, Pedagogy
