Our Approach

Teaching Method

ShadowLight employs scientifically supported strategies in its teaching techniques. The unique aspects of this educational program allow for students to truly connect to the materials, absorb the lessons and remember them well into the future. The teaching techniques used in ShadowLight also make it more likely that students will take action in response to the learning. In order to pass on Holocaust memory, legacy and universal lessons to the future generations, educational programs must be implemented that are effective and engaging. ShadowLight, as demonstrated by its pilot test at the University of Guelph and its research-based foundation, is the future of Holocaust education. Through learning about the past and connecting to the stories, students will be motivated and inspired to build a better future. The following information outlines relevant research that supports the educational tools used in ShadowLight.

ShadowLight employs diverse modes of interaction with the students in its educational program in order to ensure rich learning for each student based on his or her unique type of intelligence. For instance, for those that demonstrate primarily linguistic intelligence, the writing materials on the walls and dialogue with the educator will advance learning. For those that exhibit spatial intelligence, video footage will be shown and pictures will be presented. Interactive activities will be conducted for students with Bodily- Kinesthetic Intelligence. Students will discuss important topics with their peers, appealing to those possessing interpersonal intelligence, as well as reflect internally on their own thoughts and feelings- meant for those with intrapersonal intelligence.

ShadowLight supports ensures effective learning in that it is interactive. The students are prompted to reflect upon, analyze and discuss the various historical and contemporary issues that they encounter in the exhibit with the educator present and their peers. Research shows that this active engagement shapes neural processes and imprints learning.

ShadowLight aims to tap into students’ emotions, creating a space where they can connect to the victims and feel for their suffering. In addition, this immersive exhibit implants a feeling of inspiration and hope for the future, motivating the students to make good decisions and act in response. The strong emotional component of this experience facilitates learning, guides decision making and solidifies knowledge, creating a lasting impact.

An important goal of ShadowLight is to empower its visitors, increasing their sense of self efficacy. This, in turn will lead to the likelihood that students will take action and demonstrate prosocial behavior. Many students often feel that the injustices in the world are too numerous to tackle and too difficult to eliminate. In this educational experience we will teach that every person can make a difference and together, we can change the world. Imparting this message on the students increases students’ sense of self efficacy which leads to a higher likelihood of taking action.

In progressing from historical information about the Holocaust to contemporary information about current injustices, ShadowLight is relevant and applicable to a modern audience, ensuring advanced learning in its visitors. Since, in this exhibit, the Holocaust is viewed as a crime against humanity not just a crime against the Jews, all people can feel connected and all people can derive personalized purpose from its messages. It also makes the Holocaust relevant to the current world, allowing visitors to not only learn from history, but to be inspired and motivated to make a difference in the present.

ShadowLight is uniquely characterized by being inside a World War Two replica cattle car that was used to transport Jews and other targeted groups to the concentration, labour and death camps during the Holocaust. Research demonstrates that being able to connect to this physical, historically significant space in a multi-sensory environment, will enhance students’ meaningful learning, spark inspiration and facilitate application to the outside world. In addition, it will solidify the learning in memory.