GIDEON DISHON
Meet Our Team
Gideon (Gidi) Dishon
Gideon Dishon is a senior lecturer (tenure track) at the School of Education, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. He holds a PhD in education from the University of Pennsylvania, a MA in The History and Philosophy of Science and Ideas, and a BA in philosophy literature, both from Tel Aviv University. His research interests include critical approaches to educational technologies (Critical EdTech), philosophy of education, learning sciences, and alternative schools. His recent research has focused on the emerging sociotechnical and pedagogical imaginaries underpinning the discourse on generative AI in education.
Ofri Wagner-Lebel | Doctoral Student
My research focuses on conversations taking place in middle school and high school classrooms, and how they realize their voice in these conversations. By analyzing student conversations in small groups, I investigate processes of social-cultural positioning, and how it is shaped through participation in group interaction.
I hold bachelor's and master's degrees in psychology and educational psychology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. My master's thesis dealt with disagreements in professional development conversations between teachers, under the supervision of Prof. Christa Asterhan.
In addition to my academic work, I am an educational psychologist and accompany educational teams, parents and children in the psychological-educational service in Jerusalem. Previously, I worked as a teacher in kindergartens and elementary school classes, and studied for a teaching certificate at the Hofen Institute for Open and Experimental Education.
Ziv Goldberg | PhD Student
PhD candidate supervised by Dr. Gidi Dishon and Prof. Dana Vedder-Weiss. My research examines how alternative schools transform during crises (COVID-19 and the 2023-2024 war) through the lens of "grammar of schooling". I investigate how these schools reorganize time, space, and relationships, and how emerging technologies like school radio become sites of techno-pedagogical negotiation.
I hold a BSc in Physics (Ben-Gurion University) and an MA in Science, Technology & Society (Bar-Ilan University), where I studied digital systems in Jerusalem schools. Currently, I direct alternative teacher training programs at Kibbutzim College and work in design and development at the Center for Research of Pedagogy at Ben-Gurion University. Previously, I co-directed Jerusalem's Argentina Experimental School for a decade.
My research interests include crisis as catalyst for educational change, technology-pedagogy entanglements in alternative education, and how marginal practices illuminate
mainstream educational assumptions.
Gidi Tal | PhD Student
Doctoral student under the supervision of Dr. Dana and Der-Weiss and Dr. Gideon Dishon. I am an instructor and coordinator in the “Green horizons” youth organization and have a master's degree in sociology of education from the Hebrew University. My Research is about teaching and learning in nature and focuses on ways we learn to "know" nature. Through ethnographic field work I examine how educational practices reflect perceptions of knowledge in forest education.
Ronen Wies | PhD Student
PhD candidate in Education at Ben-Gurion University, supervised by Dr. Gidi Dishon. My research explores how artificial intelligence is portrayed in culture and literature, and how educators and students think about AI through metaphors.
I'm a father of two (Talia and Tahel) and live in Kiryat Motzkin. I'm the principal of "HaChoresh" K-8 school in Zichron Yaakov.
M.A. in Cultural Studies, University of Haifa. Thesis on horror elements in A.B. Yehoshua's early stories, examining the Freudian "uncanny" and Mary Douglas' concept of "anomaly" (advisor: Prof. Nitza Ben-Dov) M.Ed. with high distinction in Educational Management and Organization, Gordon Academic College. Research focused on how religiosity, educational sector, and gender influence school principals' approaches to ethical dilemmas (advisor: Dr. Ornat Turin) B.Ed. with high distinction in Bible and Hebrew Literature for secondary education, Gordon Academic College Completed teacher training program for gifted and talented students, Gordon Academic College
Eden Gil | M.A Student
My name is Eden Gil, I hold a bachelor's degree in Education and Mathematics. I am currently pursuing a master's degree in Education, Learning and Innovation at the School of
Education at Ben-Gurion University, while completing my teaching certificate. My research focuses on alternative education, particularly examining how Waldorf and Democratic schools influence exploration processes and identity formation among their graduates.
Alongside my academic studies, I work as a mathematics teacher at a Waldorf high school in Beer Sheva. In my free time, I enjoy hiking in nature, playing music, juggling, and spending time with friends
Gal Salman | M.A Student
My name is Gal Salman, and I hold a Bachelor's degree in Education and Art. I am currently pursuing a Master's degree in the Education, Learning, and Innovation program at Ben- Gurion University of the Negev. I also hold a teaching certificate in Art Education and currently serve as a team coordinator in the Perach mentoring organization.
My research explores teachers' perceptions in the face of the changes brought about by the digital age, with a particular focus on the emergence of generative artificial intelligence in the public sphere. I am especially interested in what the intersection of AI and education can reveal about the nature and future of education itself—particularly in light of the current public discourse surrounding AI.
In my free time, I enjoy painting, crocheting, and spending time with my partner in our magical flower garden.
Yuval Peshin-Gideoni | M.A Student
I am Yuval Pashin-Gideoni, a graduate of the BA in Education and Philosophy and currently a master's student in the research track at the Department of Education at Ben-Gurion University. My thesis deals with forest education and its possible contribution to promoting resilience and adaptation processes among children living in a complex security reality characterized by uncertainty. In addition to my studies, I work as a forest teacher for children in the Gaza Envelope. As part of my role, I accompany frequent, meaningful, and
experiential learning processes in nature, which support emotional coping and strengthen a sense of belonging. I also facilitate groups in urban agriculture communities and develop environmental educational content. In my educational and research work, I strive to bridge theory with practice, and to promote pedagogical approaches adapted to crisis situations and changing realities.
Adam Dar | Research Assistant
Bachelor's in Jewish History from the University of Haifa. Work experience as a research assistant in the field of the Digital Humanities. Interested in bridging the gap between technical and cultural discourse in research, specifically in relation to Artificial Intelligence.
Lab Graduates
Maria Gretsky | PhD Student
Maria Gretsky is a sociologist and anthropologist whose work explores the intersections of algorithmic culture, emotional culture, and knowledge production. Her doctoral dissertation, supported by the Edmond de Rothschild Foundation, examined the digitalization of academic education and knowledge. She completed it under the supervision of Prof. Aviad Raz, Prof. Dani Filc, and Dr. Gidi Dishon. Currently, Maria is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Sociology, Political Science, and Communication at the Open University. Her current research investigates how algorithmic tools in the field of Social Sustainable Investments "translate" social values and emotions into financial metrics.
Email: mari.gretzky@gmail.com
Shai Goldfarb Cohen | Postdoctoral Research
Shai Goldfarb Cohen is an educational researcher whose work explores the intersections of digital learning environments, collaborative knowledge construction, and perspective-taking in online interactions. Her doctoral dissertation, completed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, examined online collaborative interpretation of Jewish texts through digital platforms. Previously, she was a postdoctoral fellow at Ben-Gurion University, exploring social perspective-taking using epistemic network approaches and classroom dialogue. Currently, Shai is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Learning and Instructional Sciences at the University of Haifa. Her current research investigates how students evaluate online misinformation and AI-generated content, while also engaging students in authentic historical research through the Cairo Geniza citizen science project.
