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QEP Workshop: Spring 2014Integration of Faith and Learning

Cynthia Tweedell, Ph.D.Vice President for Quality Enhancement and

Institutional ResearchMid-Continent University

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Outline

• Warm up • Review of Data Regarding Spiritual Impact of

Adult Programs • Share Strategies for Integration • Examples from other schools • Table Topics

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Devotion and Prayer

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

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Warm UP (10 minutes)

Sit with people who teach in similar fields:English and Speech CommunicationsMath, ScienceHistory and EducationPsychologyBusinessBible

Introduce yourselvesWhat do you love about teaching for MCU?What are your greatest challenges in teaching?

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Spiritual Formation Inventory

• Developed from a CCCU Task Force led by Dr. Larry Chamberlain from IWU.

• Three colleges have implemented at entry and exit.

• Annual report compares scores (cross sectional analysis)

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How are Exiting Students Different?

• More likely to volunteer (church and community)

• Put interests and well-being of others ahead of self

• More likely to pray and attend church

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Student Learning Outcomes

• Entering and exiting students: essay on a common writing prompt

• CCCU Task force rubric – Written communication– Critical thinking– Christian worldview

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Scoring Rubric

Christian World View

5 Clearly demonstrates an understanding of a Christian perspective. (Frequent references to biblical principles)

4 Frequently refers to a Christian perspective. Student has a reasonable understanding of Christian perspective. (Some references to biblical principles.)

3 Makes some mention of a Christian perspective. Student indicates some understanding of a Christian perspective. (Biblical principles referred to somewhat.)

2 Demonstrates little understanding of a Christian perspective. (Biblical principles hardly or not mentioned.)

1 Makes no reference to a Christian perspective. Student does not appear to have an understanding of a Christian perspective. (Biblical principles not mentioned.)

Score:

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MCU 2012 Results

N Mean SDFresh MCU 56 3.15 1.17

Others 175 2.54 1.26

Seniors MCU 30 2.87 1.59 Others 150 3.09 1.32

Why did seniors score lower than freshmen??

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Table GroupsShare Strategies to Integrate Faith and

Learning (20 minutes)

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Some Examples

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Community Building

• Devotions• Dinner Break• Modeling Jesus with one another

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Online Community Building

• Frequent student-faculty interaction • Sharing of personal life • Spiritual videos

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Integration of Content with Theology

• Bringing all knowledge under the authority of Christ (Holmes)

• Thinking “Christian-ly” about the subject

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Integrate Scripture and Course Content

• Devotionals which are tied to content• Bible verses connected to content• Reflective journalingAdd Bible and stir.

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BREAK

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Table Topics (10 minutes each)

1. How do we make a spiritual impact on our students?2. How do we know we are making a spiritual impact

on our students?3. How do we share the Gospel with students who

have not made a faith commitment?4. How do we create a welcoming environment for

non-Christians?5. How do we motivate students to think critically

about their faith in light of their academic work?

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Conclusions

• Integration of faith and learning takes place in four broad ways:– Community Building– Intellectual integration of theology with course

content– Integrate Scripture with course content– Living curriculum

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Wrap UPWhat one thing can you do to help your students integrate faith

and learning?