Visits, visitors, persona dolls and interfaith dialogue

This chapter examines the theoretical and empirical basis for making use of visits, visitors, interfaith dialogue and persona dolls to support creative teaching and learning in Religion and Worldviews/Religious Education (R&W/RE). It looks at the theory of place-based learning and ideas from pedagogies of Religious Education and dialogic pedagogy in relation to visits and visitors. The chapter also provides practical ideas for how teachers can use visits and visitors in R&W/RE, including a list of key questions regarding practicalities, ideas for during and after the visit and a possible framework for a visit. Teachers are encouraged to critically reflect on their own positionality as part of this. Insights from a Muslim faith visitor highlight the importance of using visitors in R&W/RE as well as key considerations about how teachers can make the most of such opportunities. The benefits of online visits and visitorsare also examined. Persona dolls are explored as visitors for younger children and the chapter sets out how a persona doll's character can be developed and used creatively.