Metacognition and the End of the “Pastor?” Posted on April 6, 2014 by George ElerickThere are many seminarians, clergy persons, and even their congregations who believe that the weight of responsibility for inculcating theology comes down to the role of the pastor. This is highly problematic due to the fact that it creates psychic stress within the individual to perform a saviour-like role. In today’s ever-changing landscape is there a way in which we can respond to both the culture we live and the beliefs we hold so dear? Maybe one possible response lies in metacognition…
Metacognition: Teach Me How to Learn! Posted on March 31, 2014 by Jane S. WebsterWhen we shift our task as educators from those who deliver content to those who help students learn how to learn, we see that they still learn the content that we cherish, but they have also developed skills that will take them far into the future with success. And as we become more conscious of students’ learning, we will become more attuned to their needs, enabling us to intervene in just the right place at just the right time…
Are Research Papers the Best Way Forward? Posted on March 21, 2014 by Josh KingcadeWant to irritate the entire world of academia? Try suggesting that professors should stop assigning papers. In an essay on Slate.com, Rebecca Shuman suggests that college professors should stop assigning papers in required courses and instead should give “old-school, hardcore exams, written and oral.” Her reasons will sound familiar: teachers hate grading papers, the emerging…
Etextbooks.02: Don’t Leave Students to their Own Devices Posted on March 15, 2014 by Nathan LoewenAccording to some, the difference between conventional textbooks versus e-books is like comparing apples and oranges. I’m not entirely convinced. Fortress Education recently revised its Introduction to World Religions textbook for the Inkling e-book platform. I was a part of the 22-person team whose task was to enhance the conventional textbook’s content and add educational enhancements offered by Inkling. Our team’s objective was shared with Inkling: to improve students’ learning outcomes through built-in learner-based evaluations, social features such as shared notes, multimedia additions and links to web-based content beyond the e-book itself….
Etextbooks.01: Potato, Potahto, Tomato, Tomahto? Posted on March 9, 2014 by Nathan LoewenAccording to some, the difference between conventional textbooks versus e-books is like comparing apples and oranges. I’m not entirely convinced. Fortress Education recently revised its Introduction to World Religions textbook for the Inkling e-book platform. I was a part of the 22-person team whose task was to enhance the conventional textbook’s content and add educational enhancements offered by Inkling. Our team’s objective was shared with Inkling: to improve students’ learning outcomes through built-in learner-based evaluations, social features such as shared notes, multimedia additions and links to web-based content beyond the e-book itself….