DM204 - Christian Education in Practice
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0 Standard Tuition Fee
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4Credit Points
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0.125 EFT
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5AQF level
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develop ministeriesUnit Discipline
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students willA. Know and understand
- The role of the teacher in Christian Education
- Issues in learning
- Issues in teaching methodology
- ‘Education in practice’ from a Christian perspective
B. Be able to
- Outline the role of the teacher in Christian education
- Describe a context of Christian education
- Identify the essential aspects of the theory and practice of teaching
- Engage in fieldwork in one specified area of ‘education in practice’ from a Christian perspective
C. Be in a position to
- Use perspectives and skills from ‘Christian Education in Practice’ for personal understanding and in teaching and ministry contexts
Content
Section A: Issues in Learning (40%)
- The teacher as a role model/discipler; personal educational development; the identification of gifts, personality type, and relationship qualities; ongoing learning, in-service education.
- Environmental factors and learning: the home; peer groups; the classroom; camp situations.
- EITHER:
The school situation: inter-staff relationships; legal aspects of teaching Religious Education; voluntary Christian groups; relationships with non-school Christian ministers.
OR
The parish situation: education in relation to other church activities; the parish and local schools (government and non-government); para-church educational agencies and the local church; relations between church staff; educational ministry as a career.
Section B: Issues in Methodology (40%)
- Class management: the theory and practical application in formal teaching of the following: group work; discipline and authority; variable space classrooms; motivation; the special student; competition and co-operation.
- Lesson preparation; assessment of student learning; evaluation of educational programmes.
- Theory and practice of teaching methods, including individual and group learning (seminars, buzz groups, discussion groups etc.); drama, music and dance; team teaching; research projects; lectures; visual aids; using educational technology (recorders, OHPs, computers, video etc.).
Section C: Education in Practice (20%)
- Work in one of the following areas, including the evaluation of a particular programme of religious education from a Christian perspective.
- Religious Education in Infant or Primary classes in a school
- Religious Education or Religious Studies in a Secondary school
- General teaching in a Christian school
- Christian Education in a parish, for children or infants of primary level
- Christian Education provided for infants or children in a non-church setting
- A Christian Education programme for adolescents
- A programme of Christian Education for adults (Note: if preaching is included, it must be evaluated as an educational enterprise.)
- Theological Education at pre-tertiary or tertiary level
- Family and inter-generational programmes.
Workload
Education in Practice is to include a minimum of 20 hours’ work in the area(s) chosen. Of this, at least 3 hours are to be spent in observation, at least 8 hours in direct educational work teaching by the candidate, and at least 5 hours in supervised reflection upon observation and teaching. (These hours exclude preparation and writing up time.)
Candidates may not study a particular area for more than one unit.
Set Readings
In addition to relevant works in appropriate unit bibliographies:
Anthony, M., (ed.), Evangelical Dictionary of Christian Education (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001).
Ashton, E., Religious Education in the Early Years (London; New York: Routledge, 2000.)
Bunge, M. J. (ed.), The Child in Christian Thought (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001).
Capeheart, J., Teaching with Heart: A Guide To Cherishing And Challenging Children In The Christian Classroom (Standard Publishing Company, 2005).
Dykstra, C., Growing in the Life of Faith: Education and Christian Practices (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2005).
Felderhof, M., D. Torevell and P. Thompson (eds), Inspiring Faith in Schools: Studies in Religious Education (Hampshire, UK: Ashgate, 2007).
Habenicht, D. and L. D. Burton, Teaching the Faith: An Essential Guide for Building Faith-shaped Kids (Review and Herald Pub Assoc, 2004).
Kramer, P. A., The ABC's of Classroom Management: An A-Z Sampler for Designing Your Learning Community (Kappa Delta Pi, 2005).
Lambert, D., Teaching That Makes a Difference: How to Teach for Holistic Impact (Zondervan, 2004).
Partin, R. L., The Classroom Teacher's Survival Guide: Practical Strategies, Management Techniques and Reproducibles for New and Experienced Teachers (John Wiley and Sons, 2009).
Peterson, M. L., With All Your Mind: A Christian Philosophy of Education (Notre Dame, Ind.: University of Notre Dame Press, 2001).
White, D., K. O’Brien and S. Todd, Into the Deep (Sydney: KD, 2003).