Mary Byrne Hoffmann's Page

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About Me: After years as a media professional and then a minister, I decided to mix the best of both worlds and create a media-based interfaith spirituality course for high school students. As a firm believer in the enduring power of story and myth, I perceived an urgent need for teachers to help our youth negotiate the meaning of the pervasive messages of the ubiquitous media culture. As a teacher, I continue to experience the real crisis in our 3 R's educational approach: There is a growing cultural chasm between how we teach and how students learn in the 21st century. Although at times I feel perhaps too old to learn new tricks, it is apparent that teachers must become storytellers using electronic media in order to teach our youth how to do the same with confidence and integrity. This summer I am taking an online course on 21st century learning...and fastening my seat belt! What a ride it will be!