TEACHING IN TIMES OF TRANSITION

Session 1 “Teachers: Making a Difference”

We live in times of rapid change. TELEPHONE took __ years to reach 1 million homes TELEVISION took __ years to reach 1 million homes CELL PHONE took _______ to reach 1 million homes

How is rapid change impacting Christian education in our churches?

Paradigm shifts in Christian education Teacher-centeredStudent-centered Bible knowledgeLife skills UniformityOptions, flexibility Top-DownBottom-Up

Observations concerning the unchurched generation (Inside the Mind of Unchurched Harry and Mary, Lee Strobel, Zondervan) 1.They have rejected the church, but not necessarily God. 2.They have legitimate spiritual questions, but don’t think the church has the answers.

Observations concerning the unchurched generation (Inside the Mind of Unchurched Harry and Mary, Lee Strobel, Zondervan) 3. They have little or no denominational loyalty. 4. They want their children to receive good moral training. 5. They are very tolerant of all religions, but see Christians as narrow-minded

3 constants in the midst of change Love for God Love for people Love for His Word

How a teacher can live out these 3 constants

Session 2 “Students: Appreciating the Difference”

You’ve Got Personality!! 1.A good delegator 2.A good encourager 3.A good listener 4.A good worker 1.Risk taker 2.Emotional 3.Steady 4.Systematic 1.Bold and daring 2.Happy and carefree 3.Pleasing and kind 4.Cool and distant 1.Innovator 2.Peacemaker 3.Patient 4.Thorough 1.“I will lead them” 2.“I will persuade them” 3.“I will follow through” 4.“I will get the facts” 1.Direct 2.Talkative 3.Predictable 4.Precise 1.Decisive 2.Enthusiastic 3.Team Player 4.Analytical 1.Strong-willed 2.Trusting 3.Loyal 4.Cautious 1.Competitive 2.Optimistic 3.Non-emotional 4.Conscientious 1.Domineering 2.Gullible 3.Too lenient 4.Critical

Lion (Dominant) Take charge leader Self-confident Task-oriented Straight-forward Don’t care a lot for the details Extrovert Risk taker Can be confrontational Opinionated Can be impatient Can be controlling

Personality Equivalents Bible Character: Paul, Sarah Needs to feel respected

Otter (Influencer) Sociable Talkative Outgoing Encourager Team player Peacemaker Persuasive Not the most organized Avoid conflict Sensitive to peer pressure Want to be liked

Personality Equivalents Bible character: Peter Needs to feel liked

Golden Retriever (Steady) Loves stability Dependable Routines Loyal Orderly Predictable Controlled environments Introverted Careful Doesn’t handle change well Clams up under pressure

Personality Equivalents Bible character: Abraham, Martha Need to feel safe

Beaver (Compliant) Accurate Detailed Follow instructions Analytical Task-oriented Introverted Cautious Logical Perfectionist Often miss the big picture Stuff emotions

Personality Equivalents Bible character: Moses, Ruth Needs to be right

Some obvious facts about personality God made all of these different personalitiesGod made all of these different personalities God can use all of these different personalitiesGod can use all of these different personalities Your personality will affect your teachingYour personality will affect your teaching Your personality will affect your learningYour personality will affect your learning Your students have different personalities tooYour students have different personalities too

3 Major Learning Styles AuditoryAuditory –Telephone, music, discussion (moves lips when reading to self) VisualVisual –Pictures, charts, object lessons (looks off into space when talking) Kinesthetic/TactileKinesthetic/Tactile –Must move around, touch, taste, take apart and put back together

How Learning Styles Change with Age (a study by Price, Dunn, and Dunn, 1992 at the Center for Study of Learning and Teaching Styles)

Learning styles change with age Most preschoolers are kinesthetic/tactile learnersMost preschoolers are kinesthetic/tactile learners Most elementary children are visual learnersMost elementary children are visual learners Most teenagers are auditory learnersMost teenagers are auditory learners

Adult Learning Styles 40% of all adults are visual learners40% of all adults are visual learners 40% of all learners are kinesthetic/tactile learners (more men than women)40% of all learners are kinesthetic/tactile learners (more men than women) 20% of all learners are auditory learners (of this number, there are more women than men)20% of all learners are auditory learners (of this number, there are more women than men)

1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and touched – this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and touched – this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.

Session 3 Curriculum: “Knowing the Difference”

Natural Learning Cycle Dr Bernice McCarthy (NW Univ.) developed the 4-MAT Learning System in 1981Dr Bernice McCarthy (NW Univ.) developed the 4-MAT Learning System in MAT model explains learning in terms of the ways people perceive and process information4-MAT model explains learning in terms of the ways people perceive and process information

Adapted by Christian Educators

The Learning Cycle Step 1 – The learner must to be motivated to learnStep 1 – The learner must to be motivated to learn Step 2 – The learner must be presented with new informationStep 2 – The learner must be presented with new information Step 3 – The learner must practice the new learningStep 3 – The learner must practice the new learning Step 4 – The learner must use what has been learned and apply it to lifeStep 4 – The learner must use what has been learned and apply it to life

Step One: All Students Need to Be Motivated Purpose: Link your students’ life experiences (home, friends, school) to the lesson Focus and to interest them in the topic Teacher: Motivator Student: Imaginative Learner – “Why is this important to me?” Otters Attention Grabber

Step One

Step Two: All Students Need to Learn the Facts Purpose: Present the Bible information to your students Teacher: Information- giver Student: Analytical Learner – “What does the Bible say?” Beavers Study the Word

Step Two

Step Three: All Students Need to Practice Purpose: Provide a variety of opportunities to practice info. they have just acquired Teacher: Coach Student: Common Sense Learners – “How does this Bible passage work today?” Golden Retrievers Try It Out

Step Three

Step 4: All Students Need to Apply the Bible to Their Lives Purpose: Encourage your students to apply what they’ve learned to their everyday experiences Teacher: Encourager Student: Dynamic Learners – “What am I willing to do with what I’ve learned?” Lions Live It Out

Step 4

Hands-on Find an activity that would fit a particular personality type.Find an activity that would fit a particular personality type. Find an activity that would appeal to a specific learning style.Find an activity that would appeal to a specific learning style. How has this seminar been designed to reach all learners and personalities?How has this seminar been designed to reach all learners and personalities? What qualities do you find interesting or unique in this curriculum?What qualities do you find interesting or unique in this curriculum?