“Die Deutsche Stunde:” The Pioneering Pedagogy of Ilsedore Edse’s German Educational Television and Radio Programs

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Abstract

This paper explores the pioneering media pedagogy of Dr. Ilsedore Edse, a trailblazing professor at The Ohio State University who directed the German educational radio and television program, Die Deutsche Stunde, from 1960 to 1988. Drawing on archival research, personal interviews, and Ilsedore's own memoir, the project highlights how her innovative use of media expanded German language and cultural education in the postwar United States. Her work reached international audiences and earned her accolades including Emmy nominations and the Bundesverdienstkreuz. This life history study documents Ilsedore's inclusive approach to teaching, her advocacy for intercultural understanding, and her continued legacy at Ohio State, offering new insights into the intersection of gender, media, and public education in the twentieth century.

Author

• Kyle J. Williams, The Ohio State University