Bowling Green State University Professor Uses RV To ‘Edu-gate’

Tailgating and education are two words we don't usually find in the same sentence, but one Bowling Green State University professor is blending the two as a way to keep this unusual school year engaging.

"Edu-gating" is a twist to Dr. Angela Falter Thomas's office hours during the coronavirus pandemic.

"My husband coined the term 'edu-gating' as a spin-off on tailgating, thinking this would be a nice way to have academic discourse with the students," Thomas said.

On Friday morning, she and her husband Shayne travel from their home in Tiffin to set up their recently purchased RV on BGSU's campus.

In the middle of a campus parking lot, the professor holds her office hours.

"While technology is fantastic and I've been able to do some very interesting things through remote teaching with the students online, some of my students just need that face-to-face personal touch," she said.

It's something her students really seem to appreciate.

"I'm an in-person learner. I love the hands-on (approach) and we can't get that right now due to the pandemic. Coming here and speaking with her and expressing our concerns, she's more than welcome to explain things to you," BGSU Senior, Robbie Steffen said.

Check out the full article from WTOL News here.