Classrooms and Formational Learning

This workshop/course recognises that all learning is formational and that Christian educators will, by design, seek a Christ-shaped formation of heart and mind. It unpacks a number of key ideas from the resource Transformation by Design: Crafting Formational Learning (CEN, 2019). While the big picture remains vital, Christian education is richer when it goes beyond planning curriculum design and the developing of biblical perspective statements. Classroom teaching and learning practices are formational and how the teacher plans and implements learning experiences are crucial in forming a student’s head, heart, and hands towards responsive discipleship. The course leads teachers to examine and plan crafted formational teaching and learning practices that have the Kingdom transformed student as the goal.

Learning Intentions

Participants will:

1. consider how formational learning is at the heart and purpose of Christian education
2. explore the concept of teaching as formational and the role that crafted teaching strategies ply in the formation of students’ head, hearts and hands
3. become familiar with the content and key concepts presented in Transformation by Design: Crafted Formational Learning
4. become experienced in using the extended Big Picture Template to intentionally design formational teaching and learning practices
5. explore the use of Probing Questions when designing formational teaching practices
6. reflect on ten foundational teaching strategies that are key to formational learning
7. explore a selection of authentic examples of formational teaching practices
8. practise effectively embedding formational teaching practices in their own classrooms
9. explore the role of assessment and feedback in evaluating teaching and learning that is formational towards the kingdom