Using Op-Eds, LTEs, and Other Media Tools to Teach Theory to Students

Cheryl McFadden 
(Department of Higher, Adult and Counselor Education, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA)

Abstract: “Why do we have to learn theory?” “I don’t see the relevancy of theory to my job.” How often do professors hear these kinds of comments from their students? If the students don’t voice these comments, I would venture to say they are thinking these comments. Graduate students demand content that is relevant to their jobs and professors have a responsibility to help them understand the theoretical concepts that explain organizational behavior. The purpose of this paper is to describe the benefits of using the opposite the editor page (Op-Ed), the letter to the editor (LTE), and other media tools to teach students theory in a relevant and meaning way. The researcher describes how she used these tools in a graduate level course that had some surprising outcomes for both the students and the instructor. She concludes the paper with a learning theory that supports the use of media as an instructional strategy.

Key words: Op-Eds, LTEs, blogging, media tools, organizational theory and culture