Josh Fee, Ph.D. Dean of the School of Graduate & Professional Studies, Keynote Session, Saturday, May 19, 9:00 a.m. Asbury University, Transformative Teaching and Learning
Responding to a Changing World Three Significant challenges facing Christian Higher Education today: How will institutions embrace and maintain institutional identity in the face of significant social/cultural concerns and changes? How will institutions respond to changing student demographics as well as the related needs and interests of a changing student population? How will colleges and universities adapt the ways they provide learning experiences in response to rapid evolutions in technology?
Ou Our Ch r Choi oice: Christian higher education institutions are faced with the challenge of choosing whether they will operate reactively to the changing world around us OR whether they will lead through these changes with transformative education that impacts the world for Jesus Christ. Ou Our Pu r Purpos rpose: Our business is education, but our purpose is changing lives to impact the world by preparing people for service. Ou Our Opport r Opportunity 2016, approximately 6.5 million students nationwide enrolled in some type of distance education course. Embracing the high calling – begins with aligning what we do in the classroom with the mission of the larger organization.
OCU’s Mission Prepare students to serve effectively in the church and society by providing a holistic, Christ-centered, biblically integrated education in the Wesleyan tradition. How do we have this impact? We excel at relationships We do it through community This was Jesus’s model for bringing about transformation in the lives of his followers and this model is transferable to how you design and deliver learning experiences today. It is relationship that makes transformation possible.
“Jesus of Nazareth, without money and arms, conquered more millions than Alexander the Great, Caesar, Mohammed, and Napoleon; without science and learning, he shed more light on things human and divine than all philosophers and scholars combined; without the eloquence of school, he spoke such words of life as were never spoken before or since, and produced effects which lie beyond the reach of orator or poet; without writing a single line, he set more pens in motion, and furnished themes for more sermons, orations, discussions, learned volumes, works of art, and songs of praise than the whole army of great men of ancient and modern times.” ― Philip Schaff Faculty has a critical role in the work of this university to achieve its mission!
What does transformative education look like in an online environment? Transformation happens when Walls are broken and fear is overcome!
Our Core Values: Christ-Centered Our community of interdependent students, faculty, and staff seeks to honor and obey Jesus Christ, who is present in Spirit and speaks in Scripture, and to advance God’s purposes in the lives of every member .
Changing student demographics…less students choosing Christian universities BA BARRI RIER because they are distinctly Christian. Assume that your students do not know the love of Jesus Christ or perhaps have had a ASSUM SSUME negative experience within a Christian community. In view of that assumption, how would you approach your role as facilitator? In view of this, how would you approach your role as a facilitator of learning? Use this opportunity to invite students into conversations about knowing and following Jesus Have the courage to share your story or testimony Have space for students to share their stories Share the responsibility of community learning
Our Core Values: Biblically Based Our academic and student development programs cultivate a deep and enduring faith that affirms the authority of Scripture and embraces Christ as the authentic center of life.
Students often express a fear of not having “technical knowledge or depth of knowledge of BA BARRI RIER Scripture”. Faculty express apprehension in terms of their ability to fulfill the role of integrating faith. Assume your students may have never ASSUM SSUME opened a Bible. In view of this, how would you integrate that reality into the learning experience? Keep it simple Evaluate what you can do on a daily/weekly basis to expose students to scripture
Our Core Values: Student Oriented Our undergraduate and adult curriculum integrates faith and learning in a scholarly environment that fosters critical and creative thinking, academic excellence, and professional competence.
There is a greater transactional distance between the student and you as the instructor, BA BARRI RIER the student and the larger community, the student and resources from the institution, etc. Assume your students do not know how to be ASSUM SSUME successful in your course. In view of this, how are you showing up in your courses and demonstrating leadership in the educational experience? Respond to emails Providing feedback in timely manner Think about ways to work smarter Use alternate and creative ways to provide feedback
When students do not know how to BA BARRI RIER successfully navigate the course. Assume your students do not know what they ASSUM SSUME are supposed to be doing at any given time in a course. Consider audience Stress of not finding what they are looking for or where they need to go
Our Core Values: Ministry Motivated Our emphasis on ministry and missions extends beyond the classroom into real-world experiences that prepare students for a lifetime of service in ministry. Leadership Focused Our students experience and engage the world in ways that prepare leaders to serve and transform their professions, churches, and communities.
Students lack confidence in their BA BARRI RIER potential…and it really impacts motivation. Assume students have not embraced their capacity to make a difference in the their ASSUM SSUME families, their immediate communities, their workplaces, or the world. Faculty leaders are always bringing along other people, encouraging them to a clear sense of their potential to accomplish great things. Transformative teaching is less about faculty being able, but when faculty are available
Our Core Values: Academically Excellent We seek to provide an excellent academic environment for the acquisition of both knowledge and wisdom.
BA BARRI RIER The past has not always been positive. Assume students have had a bad or unsuccessful experience with higher education ASSUM SSUME leading up to this. They don’t know why this learning is meaningful to them other than the practical reality that they need a degree. Not Empty Vessels or Blank Slates – Students come with lots of baggage, experiences, past struggles…they are primed for something new. Approach instruction as if every student you encounter has not yet chosen a major and they are waiting for someone to share with them the kind of contagious joy about a field or a subject that prompts them to move in that direction.
In Closing . . . Your charge as faculty is to: Constantly seek out training and development. • Be joyful and excited! It can be contagious! •
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