QEP Workshop: Spring 2014
Integration of Faith and Learning
Cynthia Tweedell, Ph.D.
Vice President for Quality Enhancement
and Institutional Research
Mid-Continent University
1
• Warm up
• Review of Data Regarding Spiritual Impact of
Adult Programs
• Share Strategies for Integration
• Examples from other schools
• Table Topics
QEP Workshop, Spring, 2014
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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
QEP Workshop, Spring, 2014
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Warm UP (10 minutes)
Sit with people who teach in similar fields:
English and Speech Communications
Math, Science
History and Education
Psychology
Business
Bible
Introduce yourselves
What do you love about teaching for MCU?
What are your greatest challenges in teaching?
QEP Workshop, Spring, 2014
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• 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)
QEP Workshop, Spring, 2014
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• 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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• 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.)
Makes some mention of a Christian perspective.
Student indicates some understanding of a Christian
perspective. (Biblical principles referred to somewhat.)
3
2
1
Demonstrates little understanding of a Christian
perspective. (Biblical principles hardly or not
mentioned.)
Makes no reference to a Christian perspective. Student
does not appear to have an understanding of a Christian
perspective. (Biblical principles not mentioned.)
QEP Workshop, Spring, 2014
Score:
8
Fresh
N
MCU
56
Others 175
Seniors MCU
30
Others 150
Mean SD
3.15
1.17
2.54
1.26
2.87
3.09
QEP Workshop, Spring, 2014
1.59
1.32
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Share Strategies to
Integrate Faith and
Learning
(20 minutes)
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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 journaling
Add Bible and stir.
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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 UP
What one thing can you do to help your students integrate faith
and learning?
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