Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting with Dr. Youssef Abdo, who specializes in innovative education and works at Royal Roads University, in Victoria, Canada. Youssef shared his experience about conducting podcasts in educational environments and we reflected on how to do the same for the IN4RF initiatives. Earlier in this project, we had begun ideas about providing the opportunity for guests to share their narratives through podcasts. We look forward to learning more about Youssef’s experience and expertise with oral narraitives. Welcome!
Oral narratives have probably been popular in human society ever since we could tell about a past, present, or imagined future. Ancient Greek plays and epic poems are still appreciated narratives of the human condition today, from listening, watching or reading the works to modern adaptaion in film. It is also understood that traditional knowledge of ecological systems are conveyed through oral narrative, passed on through generations. In modern times, we have huddled around the radio and more recently adapted to private listening through podcasts. Listening to a narrator who can tell a story well, can really capture the emotions, imagination, and inspire critical thinking. Who/what is your favourite voice?
Would oral narratives be your preference? There is much talk about how sustainability education can be aided by great stories of literature. The use of a fictional story to provide space for dialogue in intrapersonal competence (self-awareness and resilience), or sensitive facts such as ethical or political dilemmas, can engage students with topics and create a safe space for open dialogue. Deliberation activities are vital for developing critical thinking skills, and innovative education practices like simulation designs and role plays have had positive outcomes.
Last semester, I applied the Deep Time Walk app with master students to help connect their reflections on current trends to stories about our planet. Preceding this activity, I held the futuring workshop again, this time I integrated the approach into the whole course. Students could follow up on their ideas that emerged from the workshop by developing their dialogue in presentations of current trends. We also held deliberations about their own emerging interests in the topics. Students from different backgrounds, across different disciplines and from different universities shared their narratives of the past, present, as well as future imaginations and aspirations, showing that oral narratives can provide great critical thinking opportunities.
In the wake of AI in education, educators are asked to consider oral narratives as a more prominent mechanism of assessment. How do you work with oral narratives? Would you like to share your experience in sustainability education, regenerative thinking, or oral education approaches? Which podcast approach is your favourite?
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