The DevTech Research Group hosts speakers from a wide array of fields to share their expertise and lead discussions about learning, technology, design, and formation. See below for upcoming events!
Upcoming Events
A potential dialogue between traditional Yeshiva learning and progressive pedagogies – Prof. Zvi Bekerman, Hebrew University of Jerusalem – 5/27/25
A potential dialogue between traditional Yeshiva learning and progressive pedagogies
by Prof. Zvi Bekerman, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Tuesday 5/27/2025 at 4:00pm
DevTech Lab, Carney Hall Room 306 on Boston College’s Campus, 281 Beacon St., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 (for more help finding us)
Please RSVP here if you plan to attend
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.
Hosted by DevTech’s Beit Midrash Initiative