Working Paper #9: Teaching Adult Jewish Educators about Teaching the Bible: What They Need to Know and How They Might Learn It

Publication Date: May 2007

Publisher: Mandel Center for Jewish Education

Author(s): Lisa D. Grant; Andrea L. Weiss

Research Area: Culture and religion; Education

Keywords: American Jews; Educators; Adult education

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

What do teachers of Bible to adults in liberal settings need to know and be able to do, and what kind of learning opportunities foster those capacities? The authors, co-teachers, have - through three iterations of their course "Teaching Bible to Adults" - developed an integrated approach in teaching their respective fields of Bible and Jewish education. Through a variety of methods they have increasinglyattempted to facilitate in their students the mastery of the pedagogic content knowledge necessary for their own effective teaching, rather than bifurcating knowledge of Bible and pedagogic strategies. This paper details the process of the course's development as a reflection of the authors' ongoing investigation, reading, and revision of their own teaching practices.