Dr. Yizchak Gonen, Israeli Scholar and Education Specialist, Speaks at Walsh University

Walsh University will host Dr. Yizchak Gonen, Israeli Scholar and Education specialist on Thursday, October 4, 2012 in the Barrette Business and Community Center at 7:30 p.m. Dr. Gonen will present on the topic of “From Bonding to Bridging in Divided Community,” which will address the Israeli case and experience of building social capital to create communitarianism, an ideology that emphasizes the connection between the individual and the community. The presentation is free and open to the public.

Dr. Gonen comes to Walsh University as part of a new project, The Global Learning Partnership, that includes, in addition to Walsh, The Ohio State University, University of Colorado at Denver, Wheelock College in Boston, Massachusetts, and Oranim College in Israel. This project provides faculty and students with the opportunity to interact collaboratively using state-of -the -art technologies such as videoconferencing and an array of multimedia tools to create 'live' classrooms to explore topics of mutual interest to them and their practical classroom work.  Because these inquiry topics will be taught by experts in a particular subject area, the students will have the advantage of working with individuals who can provide insight about subject areas that may not be familiar to the students or are viewed from different cultural perspectives. This interaction and level of rigorous inquiry can provide global Learning Partnership students with a very unique opportunity to become rigorous, 21st century critical thinkers. 

The first course will be taught in the Spring of 2013 and will focus on multiple approaches to teaching special needs children. It will be available to graduate and undergraduate students from at each of the collaborating institutions. Each location will have professors who will be present to support the local teaching and learning processes in addition to the virtual interactions. 

Dr. Gonen's visit to Walsh University will provide him with an opportunity to become acquainted with the local educational community and to discuss with them and our Walsh faculty the development of a series of courses for both teachers and administrators who are interested in exploring alternative strategies for teaching and learning in multicultural communities.

Dr. Gonen holds a PhD in Cognitive Clinical Psychology from Israel’s Bar-Ilan University. After serving as a lecturer at several Israeli colleges, Dr. Gonen came to Oranim Academic College of Education, where he is currently Senior Lecturer. His research and writing specialize in the leadership roles of educators and organizations.

Dr. Gonen’s lecture is due, in part, to a collaboration of the Walsh University Jewish/Catholic Studies Institute, the Global Learning Partnership and the Walsh University Division of Education and Outreach. Dr. Gonen’s lecture is eligible for credit in the Walsh University Livelong Learning Academy.For more information, visit www.walsh.edu or contact Rabbi John Spitzer at jspitzer@walsh.edu.

Walsh University is an independent, co-educational Catholic liberal arts and sciences institution that promotes academic excellence and diversity and provides close faculty-student interaction. It is dedicated to teaching its more than 3,000 students from 15 states and 24 countries to become leaders in service to others through a values-based education with an international perspective in the Judeo-Christian tradition.