Awakening Presence

• In Event: Multisensory and Social-Emotional Learning as Key On-Ramps to Academic and Life Success: New Lessons From Holistic Research

Abstract

This paper examines the pedagogical concept of “cosmos” as a construct that grows classroom community and where classroom learning moves from a “task to complete” to personal contemplation. Cosmos is a reflective, personal narrative composed by graduate and undergraduate student of the influences that have shaped their lives—influences such as where they grew up, family members, teachers (good and poor), strong and broken relationships, tragedies, and accomplishments etc. Results of this pedagogical approach to opening presence promotes the following: enhances classroom learning, students are much more open to engaging in deeper learning, question more, listen more intently, think more critically, are more aware of their own voice, and see others in class with more compassion.

Author

• Thomas Allen Peterson, The University of West Georgia