Christian Pedagogy in the Classroom
A framework for acting “Christianly” in the classroom is as individual as the instructor. Listed below are characteristics and activities suggested for inclusion in classes at Ohio Valley University. Faculty members are encouraged to integrate faith and learning in as many ways as possible and to ask their students to focus on knowledge of God and Christian principles as they complete assignments in order to grow in faith as they learn the course content.
A “Christianly” classroom environment:
- is open to ideas, inviting and approachable;
- treats students as individuals;
- promotes a climate of corporate and individual responsibility;
- encourages and appreciates varied responses and opinions;
- respects diversity;
- applies integrity and honesty in all academic pursuits and work;
- uses fairness and objectivity in evaluation of concepts and information;
- fosters competition and cooperation to enable academic excellence;
- requires critical thinking;
- implements and supports high standards and achievement for all students;
- integrates prayer in class or in other ways, such as prayers written by others, or through prayer projects, such as prayers and notes to missionaries, student teachers, community leaders, etc.;
- draws in resources aimed at faith integration, such as textbooks that include a focus on faith in specific disciplines or books with Christian principles or information that can supplement textbooks;
- includes Bible principles and applications where appropriate to the components of the discipline;
- assigns tasks through which students can express faith specifically as it impacts their relationship with the discipline;
- evaluates student work as it reflects progress made, levels of effort, achievement, and mastery.
