Six Techniques for Integration of Faith and Practice in Teaching

IFL Link: Six Techniques for Integration

of Faith & Practice in Teaching

By G. H. Akers

A. External:^**

1. Environmental (teacher modeling; reverential classroom climate)

2. Ornamental ("unrelated devotional thought" up front; religious cosmetics--.i.e. bulletin boards, etc)

B. Internal:^*^*

3. Illustrative (Allusions, personal narratives, Scriptural links, etc)

4. Analogous (Parallel examples from other disciplines, similar frames of reference)

5. Homiletic (Sacred-secular aspects--the interplay of principles)

6. Thematic (the highest and most responsible level of IFLP! --knitting around the subject's inherent THEMES)

** (To the subject matter. . .)

****

Course Planning for Spiritual Objectives, general considerations:

What philosophic/theologic assumptions undergird my course? (Have I lifted them to the conscious level?)

What general salvation themes or issues can I highlight in my course?

At what junctures in my course is it especially natural and convenient to illustrate or deal with the claims of the Gospel? Unobtrusive, benevolent "confrontation".

What teaching-learning activities from "both sides of the desk" can make meaningful integration possible? (What inherent opportunities for creativity and critical thinking?)

[Important acknowledgment: some disciplines present more opportunities for integration than others. Technical, mechanical & mathematical fields obviously call for more sensitivity and creativity on the part of the teacher, but no discipline is totally devoid of themes or linkages to the spiritual/ethical realm; they may just be more infrequent and global. It is generally recognized that the arts, humanities & the sciences (particularly physics and biology ) abound with spiritual -- ethical corollaries]