Artistic Pedagogical Technologies: A Primer for Educators

'Artistic Pedagogical Technologies: A Primer for Educators' provides readers with a lively and creative set of arts-based strategies that teachers can use with their students. The authors, three nurse educators, draw from their research over the past 13 years. Although the strategies presented are directed to educators in the health professions, educators beyond these disciplines may also find them informative.

This comprehensively referenced book makes a strong and original contribution to existing literature in the area of teacher preparation. By integrating findings from their own research, their personal experience and current information from a variety of credible sources, the authors demonstrate rigor and attention to detail.

The artistic pedagogies explained in the book are practical and designed to engage learners; to support the development of interaction and sense of community within classrooms; and to sustain genuine learner interest in course material. The pedagogies can be implemented in face-to-face or online classrooms. Lesson plans illustrate how artistic pedagogies such as playfully using music, photography, poetry and story writing can bring course content to life.

Importantly, readers will be interested in the authors’ explanations of their own journey towards conceptualizing and understanding what artistic pedagogies are, how they work and why they work. Each author writes from their heart. The book is a must-read for educators who strive to create supportive student-centered environments where teachers and learners learn together and from one another.

Sherri Melrose PhD,RN,

Faculty of Health Disciplines, Athabasca University, Canada

The wording and the content of the book are easy to understand. Outcome tables and APTs are highly informative. The list of lesson plan templates for instructors is extremely well constructed and they seem easy to adapt. APTs like storytelling (especially clinical experience), speeches and award ceremonies, quilting, word sculpting, playdough sculpting, ethics-o-poly game seem to be particularly good tools to be applied in any classroom with little adaptations. All educators looking for additional creative activities to bring life in their classes can benefit from this book regardless of course level. This book has plenty of resources for all forms of classrooms where building connections is essential for enriched learning. Implementing some of these activities in the curriculum (even in grade schools) can be highly effective in classes especially where extra activities cannot be practiced due to time restraint.

Pradeepa Poudyal,

Bellarmine University, Louisville. KY