Introduction to Teaching for Ministry (DP8213L)

Postgraduate, 24.0 points

Content

This unit provides the opportunity for students to explore the nature of learners and learning and to develop skills in facilitating effective learning in ministry contexts. Learning theory and what this indicates about good teaching practice, particularly when working with adults, will be considered and applied. Opportunities to practise, critique and peer review the strategies and instructional skills of good teaching will be inherent in the course.

Unit code: DP8213L

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Foundational

Unit discipline: Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Australian Lutheran College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Defend the teaching role of the ordained pastor and other personnel in the educational ministry of the church
2.

Incorporate theories of learning and faith development stages into preparation for teaching in a ministry context

3.

Develop suitable learning outcomes for a specific parish or education context and choose content and structure learning experiences to lead towards these outcomes
4.

Demonstrate an array of instructional skills which respond to the realities of the teaching/learning context and which are appropriate to the age and experience of the learners
5.

Evaluate the effectiveness of various teaching strategies in a range of ministry contexts

Pedagogy

This unit takes a learner-centred approach and incorporates elements of inquiry learning. Online stimulus materials and an action/reflection model that requires students to develop, trial and reflect on strategies for effective teaching in ministry contexts are used. Some collaborative work will be involved for all students, including those online.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Bartsch, Malcolm I. A God who speaks and acts: theology for teachers in Lutheran schools. North Adelaide, SA: Lutheran Education Australia, 2013. [Available online at http://www.lutheran.edu.au/download/a-god-who-speaks-and-acts/]
  • Barnes, Melissa, Maria Gindidis, and Sivanes Phillipson, eds. Evidence-based teaching and learning [electronic resource]: a look into Australian classrooms. Milton: Routledge, 2018.
  • Christenson, Tom. The gift and task of Lutheran higher education. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress, 2004.
  • Knight, George. Philosophy and education: an introduction in Christian perspective. Berrien Springs, MI: Andrews University Press, 2006.
  • Marsh, Colin J. Becoming a teacher: knowledge, skills and issues. 5th ed. Frenchs Forest, NSW: Pearson Education Australia, 2010.
  • Moulds, Russ, ed. A teacher of the church: theology, formation and practice for the ministry of teaching. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2007.
  • Osmer, Richard Robert. The teaching ministry of congregations. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2005.
  • Seymour, Jack L., ed. Mapping Christian education: approaches to congregational learning. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1997.
  • Smith, David I. On Christian teaching [electronic resource]: practicing faith in the classroom. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018.
  • Vella, Jane. Learning to listen, learning to teach: the power of dialogue in educating adults. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2002.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Investigation

Investigation Teaching role of ministry personnel 1500 words

 1500 25.0
Portfolio

Portfolio Portfolio of individual and collaborative evidence of capacity to design, plan, implement and evaluate effective teaching strategies for ministry contexts

 5500 75.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 26 Sep, 2019

Unit record last updated: 2020-10-14 14:42:22 +1100