Teaching notes used at Life Transforming College international - 501, Introduction to Christian Education.

1. THE LAW OF
READINESS
Pages 114-126
Monday, 19 August 13

2. MOST TEACHERS GO TO THEIR
WORK EITHER PARTLY PREPARED
OR WHOLLY UNPREPARED. THEY
ARE LIKE MESSENGERS WITHOUT
A MESSAGE. THEY LACK ENTIRELY
THE POWER AND ENTHUSIASM
NECESSARY TO PRODUCE THE
FRUITS WHICH WE HAVE A RIGHT
TO LOOK FOR FROM THEIR
EFFORTS.
JOHN MILTON GREGORY
Monday, 19 August 13

3. THE LAW OF READINESS
THE TEACHING-
LEARNING PROCESS WILL
BE MOST EFFECTIVE
WHEN BOTH STUDENT
AND TEACHER ARE
ADEQUATELY PREPARED
Monday, 19 August 13

4. THE LAW OF READINESS
THE TEACHING-
LEARNING PROCESS WILL
BE MOST EFFECTIVE
WHEN BOTH STUDENT
AND TEACHER ARE
ADEQUATELY PREPARED
KEY WORDS OR
IDEAS?
Monday, 19 August 13

5. THE LAW OF READINESS
THE TEACHING-
LEARNING PROCESS WILL
BE MOST EFFECTIVE
WHEN BOTH STUDENT
AND TEACHER ARE
ADEQUATELY PREPARED
Monday, 19 August 13

6. Hendricks suggests that the problem with
many classes is that you spend the whole
time getting people interested in the
material. How do we overcome this?
“Do not think of the beginning of the
class as the starting point for building
interest in the subject. Instead, move
the starting point back...so that by the
time you get together, you are
continuing to develop momentum”
Monday, 19 August 13

7. SUCCESSFUL ASSIGNMENTS
The law of readiness provides the
philosophical basis for assignments.
In a usual class you (the teacher)
are well prepared - they (the
students) are usually not!
You are enthusiastic as you have
found answers and solutions - they
come with nothing
Monday, 19 August 13

8. Consider how many
people prepare for the
Sunday morning sermon
- do you?
In this context ask: what
is the value of
assignments?
Monday, 19 August 13

9. Monday, 19 August 13

10. 1. They Precipitate Thinking -
mental warmup before class begins
2. They Provide a Background - a
foundation, the student becomes aware of
problems and issues around the subject -
questions arise, curiosity is piqued.
Monday, 19 August 13

11. Monday, 19 August 13

12. 3. They develop
Habits of
Independent Study -
this is most important,
students studying for
themselves. As a teacher
you are to stimulate the
student to lifelong
learning.
Monday, 19 August 13

13. Monday, 19 August 13

14. What are the characteristics
of good assignments?
Monday, 19 August 13

15. 1. They must be
creative - not simply
work to keep students
busy. This means it is
harder for you as a
teacher - writing
creative assignments
takes more time and
thought.
Monday, 19 August 13

16. Monday, 19 August 13

17. 2. They must be
Thought
Provoking - stretch
the learners minds,
even if thinking is
painful still you have
to do it.
Monday, 19 August 13

18. 2. They must be
Thought
Provoking - stretch
the learners minds,
even if thinking is
painful still you have
to do it.
Monday, 19 August 13

19. Monday, 19 August 13

20. 3. They must be doable - not
unrealistic in terms of the students level
of learning, time and energy.
Monday, 19 August 13

21. Monday, 19 August 13

22. What do you do if your
assignments are creative,
thought provoking and
doable - and yet still the
students have not done
them?
Monday, 19 August 13

23. Monday, 19 August 13

24. Simple solution 1: do them in class
Simple solution 2: (in some situations you can)
ask what situations are facing the
students and relate - use anonymous
questions submitted by the students -
real issues, dealt with in a real, practical way.
Monday, 19 August 13

25. Studies have shown a
direct correlation between
predictability and
impact.
High predictability = low
impact - and converse.
(Methods not morals)
Monday, 19 August 13

26. Jesus, who was never boring, and predictable -
e.g. Roman taxation, Mark 12:13ff
...some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to
catch him in his words. They came to him and said,
"Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity. You
aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to
who they are; but you teach the way of God in
accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay taxes to
Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn't we?"
Monday, 19 August 13

27. But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. "Why are you trying to
trap me?" he asked. "Bring me a denarius and let me
look at it." 16They brought the coin, and he asked
them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?"
"Caesar's," they replied.
Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar what is
Caesar's and to God what is God's."
And they were amazed at him.
Monday, 19 August 13

28. An English bishop said,
“...wherever the apostle Paul went, they had a
riot or revival. Wherever I go, they serve tea.”
Monday, 19 August 13

29. An English bishop said,
“...wherever the apostle Paul went, they had a
riot or revival. Wherever I go, they serve tea.”
What do they do where you go?
What do you want them to do?
How could you achieve this
result?
Monday, 19 August 13

30. THE LAW OF READINESS
THE TEACHING-
LEARNING PROCESS WILL
BE MOST EFFECTIVE
WHEN BOTH STUDENT
AND TEACHER ARE
ADEQUATELY PREPARED
Monday, 19 August 13

31. FIGHTING SILENCE
Monday, 19 August 13

32. FIGHTING SILENCE
You ask a question and get this
look.
Monday, 19 August 13

33. FIGHTING SILENCE
You ask a question and get this
look.
Maybe they didn’t
understand - so you rephrase
the question
Monday, 19 August 13

34. FIGHTING SILENCE
You ask a question and get this
look.
Maybe they didn’t
understand - so you rephrase
the question
What would you do now?
Monday, 19 August 13

35. FIGHTING SILENCE
You ask a question and get this
look.
Maybe they didn’t
understand - so you rephrase
the question
What would you do now?
Wait for an answer - be more
patient than the students
Monday, 19 August 13

36. When people are afraid to
take part:
1. Encourage the students
to take part
2. Affirm them when they
do - “fantastic, thank you”, “I
have never seen that before in
all my years of studying”,
“That’s a great question”
Monday, 19 August 13

37. FIELDING TOUGH
QUESTIONS
What if you are asked a
question you don’t know the
answer to?
Keep your mouth shut, or, “that’s a
good question, I don’t have an
answer, but I’ll try to get one”
Monday, 19 August 13

38. Admit your answer might be superficial at that
time - so write the question down and then get
back to them.
Don’t be embarrassed to say, “I don’t know”
How would you handle threatening
questions?
Don’t get defensive, or negative, show a
positive attitude and you might win the person
asking it over to your side.
Monday, 19 August 13

39. JEEVES'
UNANSWERABLES
1. What is the
meaning of life?
2. Is there a God?
3. Do blondes have
more fun?
4. What is the best
diet?
5. Is there anybody
out there?
6. Who is the most
famous person in the
world?
7. What is love?
8. What is the secret to
happiness?
9. Did Tony Soprano
die?
10. How long will I
live?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/
technology-11368424
A website - ask.com - listed
to top 10 unanswerable
questions of the last 10 years
- here they are
Monday, 19 August 13

40. JEEVES'
UNANSWERABLES
1. What is the
meaning of life?
2. Is there a God?
3. Do blondes have
more fun?
4. What is the best
diet?
5. Is there anybody
out there?
6. Who is the most
famous person in the
world?
7. What is love?
8. What is the secret to
happiness?
9. Did Tony Soprano
die?
10. How long will I
live?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/
technology-11368424
Monday, 19 August 13

41. CONTROLLING DISCUSSION
DOMINATORS
1. Express appreciation for
their contribution. Tell them
privately - “I really appreciate
your interest, if we could get
everyone as interested as you I’d
have it made”
Monday, 19 August 13

42. 2. Ask them to do you a favour - “Have you
noticed some people don’t participate in the class, would
you help me get those people into it? Just hold back a
little and let’s see if we can get everyone as involved as
you are”
3. Ask them to answer a question in the class -
it might be the first time anyone has asked
them to answer a question and it shows you
value their contribution
Monday, 19 August 13

43. DEVELOP NOTE TAKERS
For example notes...help to
identify ideas presented in
discussions and lectures.
...the lecture may be the only
opportunity to learn information.
...exams are usually based upon the
points covered in class.
...provide an efficient way to review
and remember
Monday, 19 August 13

44. THE LAW OF READINESS
THE TEACHING-
LEARNING PROCESS WILL
BE MOST EFFECTIVE
WHEN BOTH STUDENT
AND TEACHER ARE
ADEQUATELY PREPARED
Monday, 19 August 13