Events

A socio-historical analysis of the development of yeshivas and their conversational practices, focusing on systematic evaluations of dialogues within traditional study pairs (Chavruta) and groups (Chabura). We explore these practices’ contributions to modern educational objectives, such as knowledge creation, dialogical and collaborative learning, and fostering critical thinking. Additionally, we discuss the degree of autonomy in yeshiva textual studies. This examination also considers whether Western educational traditions might benefit or find solutions to their challenges through these ancient learning methodologies.  

Dr. Zvi Bekerman teaches anthropology of education at the School of Education, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and is a research fellow at The Harry S. Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace in the same university. His main interests are in the study of cultural, ethnic and national identity, including identity processes and negotiation during intercultural encounters and in formal/informal learning contexts. He is particularly interested in how concepts such as culture and identity intersect with issues of social justice, intercultural and peace education, and citizenship education. In addition to publishing multiple papers in a variety of academic journals, Bekerman is the founding editor of the refereed journal Diaspora, Indigenous, and Minority Education: An International Journal.

Among his most recent books: Bekerman, Z., & Zembylas, M. (2017). Psychologized language in education: Denaturalizing a regime of truth, Palgrave Macmillan – Springer; Bekerman, Zvi (2016), The Promise of Integrated and Multicultural Bilingual Education: Inclusive Palestinian-Arab and Jewish Schools in Israel, Oxford University Press, 2016; Bekerman, Zvi & Michalinos Zembylas (2012), Teaching Contested Narratives Identity, Memory and Reconciliation in Peace Education and Beyond. London, Cambridge University Press; and Bekerman, Zvi; Geisen, Thomas (Eds.) (2012) International Handbook of Migration, Minorities and Education Understanding Cultural and Social Differences in Processes of Learning. New York: Springer. Claire McGlynn, Michalinos Zembylas, & Zvi Bekerman (Eds.) (2013) Integrated Education in Conflicted Societies. Palgrave, Mcmillan.

VR Makom is a spiritual experiment and experience designed to increase middle school students’ sense of awe and wonder. Integrating Virtual Reality into Jewish prayer can create positive student experiences that have a lasting and transformative impact on their attitudes to prayer and spirituality. Oren will share data and anecdotes from his work and answer questions.

Oren Kaunfer is Madrich Ruchani (Spiritual Educator) at JCDS Boston’s Jewish Community Day School. Drawing on a diverse background ranging from Camp Ramah to the Institute for Jewish Spirituality to producing animation at MTV, Oren’s creativity, energy, and spirit elevate and energize the community, and infuse JCDS with genuine ruach (spirit). In 2018, Oren received The Covenant Foundation’s prestigious Pomegranate Prize for emerging Jewish educators and received a grant for his groundbreaking work bridging virtual reality and prayer. Oren is particularly interested in creating innovative and engaging t’fillah (prayer), and fostering meaningful connections to Judaism.

Prototyping Training with the BC Hatchery’s Digital Prototyping Studio

October 9th, 5:00-7:00pm

DevTech and the Hatchery will join to learn about and explore some of DevTech’s exciting new prototypes. This training will allow the Digital Prototyping Studio team to test and play with technology that’s being developed right on BC’s campus and is being distributed throughout the world.

This by-invitation-only event took place at the DevTech Workshop at Boston College from May 28 to 30, 2025. It gathered educators, researchers, and innovators at the intersection of technology and education who have been working with the DevTech research group for the last three years, implementing, localizing, and/or evaluating the Coding as Another Language curriculum. Learn more here.

ScratchJr’s 10th Birthday Party at DevTech

We’re throwing a birthday party! Join the DevTech Research Group at from 12-3 PM EST on Sunday, March 16th, 2025 to celebrate 10 years of ScratchJr! For this free, in-person event at the DevTech lab on Boston College’s campus, children (of all ages!), families, educators, and more are invited to learn about and play with ScratchJr. The event will include tutorials, arts and crafts, games, storytelling, educator and family resources, all designed for ScratchJr. Attendees will leave with a ScratchJr project they love, some ScratchJr swag, and a smile on their face. Light refreshments will be provided.

Complete this google form to officially register for the event.

All registrants will be sent an email about parking and finding the DevTech space one week prior to the event. Additionally, stay tuned to our socials for sneak peaks at some brand new ScratchJr activities!

Join Us at the DevTech Research Lab!

BC undergrads, we’re excited to welcome you to the DevTech Research Group’s lab for a special pizza social on September 27th! DevTech is an interdisciplinary research lab that designs, implements, and studies computational tools, pedagogies, and approaches for promoting young children’s learning. Swing by to meet our director, Professor Marina Bers, get to know our team of graduate and undergraduate researchers, play with our educational technologies, and/or grab some free pizza! Whether you’re interested in research opportunities, learning more about what we do, or just having pizza with friends on a Friday, we’d love to have you! 

The DevTech Research Group has partnered with MakeBC, a student-led engineering club, to help host Boston College’s first Make-A-Thon. Similar to the concept of a hackathon, a make-a-thon challenges students to create a physical object in 24 hours. Students in the Boston College Make-a-thon will be given a choice of 4 tracks to compete in: Sustainability, Entrepreneurship, Developmental Technologies (DevTech), and Art. Along the DevTech track, students will be encouraged to design a learning tool for young children, and are welcome to draw inspiration from DevTech’s technologies and pedagogies. This is an opportunity for students to integrate their knowledge of education, human development, and psychology with engineering and technological design. No prior engineering experience is required: students of all academic backgrounds are encouraged to join! 

Prizes will be awarded to the winners of each track. The event will run from April 6th to April 7th, with free meals and training workshops provided throughout.

Join the DevTech Research Group at the Discovery Museum for a series of Fun Sessions with ScratchJr! ScratchJr is a free programming language for children ages 5-7 which utilizes block programming to allow children to create their own interactive stories and games. Fun Sessions will consist of a one hour engaging activity and testing of a new adaptive game designed by the DevTech Research Group. Visit their website for tickets and more! If you are interested in assisting with this event, please email Ghaida Alrawashdeh for more information.

Join the DevTech Research Group at the CreatedBy Festival (hosted by Boston Children’s Museum) for a series of Fun Sessions with ScratchJr! ScratchJr is a free programming language for children ages 5-7 which utilizes block programming to allow children to create their own interactive stories and games. Fun Sessions will consist of a one hour engaging activity and testing of a new adaptive game designed by the DevTech Research Group. Visit their website for tickets and more! If you are interested in assisting with this event, please email Ghaida Alrawashdeh for more information.

Join the DevTech Research Group at the Museum of Science to celebrate Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month for fun science and cultural offerings in English and Spanish! Programming will include featured speakers, family activities, enlightening live presentations, a special community storytelling event, and Boston-area performance and community groups. Check out their website for tickets and details! If you are interested in assisting with this event, please email Francisca Carocca Penailillo for more information.

The DevTech Research Group has partnered with MakeBC, a student-led engineering club, to help host Boston College’s first Make-A-Thon. Similar to the concept of a hackathon, a make-a-thon challenges students to create a physical object in 24 hours. Students in the Boston College Make-a-thon will be given a choice of 4 tracks to compete in: Sustainability, Entrepreneurship, Developmental Technologies (DevTech), and Art. Along the DevTech track, students will be encouraged to design a learning tool for young children, and are welcome to draw inspiration from DevTech’s technologies and pedagogies. This is an opportunity for students to integrate their knowledge of education, human development, and psychology with engineering and technological design. No prior engineering experience is required: students of all academic backgrounds are encouraged to join! 

Prizes will be awarded to the winners of each track. The event will run from April 15th to April 16th, with free meals and training workshops provided throughout.