A couple of years ago, this book was assigned to my cohort, and the book changed the way I teach. I Vella's book proactively. That means I asked some questions about the material before reading it. I recommend this book for anyone to teaches or leads in any capacity.
INTRODUCTION
Learning to Listen, Learning to Teach is a systematic presentation of Jane Vella’s adult education model. Her model employs twelve principals applied to any cultural context of learning. The principals are (1) Needs Assessment, (2) Safety, (3) Sound relationships, (4) Sequence and reinforcement, (5) Praxis turning practice into action and reflection, (6) Respect, (7) teaching the whole person, (8) Immediacy, (9) A Quantum Role for the Professor, (10) Teamwork, (11) Engagement, and (12) Accountability. The book’s structure consists of presenting the principals, giving a story to illustrate the principal, and a debrief of how the principal was applied to the specific learning context she presented.
PROACTIVE QUESTIONS
How can the educational principals really be applied cross culturally?
Rational for Question: Like most parts of the U.S., our town is growing more diverse. I want to make sure I’m investing time in concepts that are broad in application.
Jane Vella took these concepts all over the world and applied them through the filter of cultural sensitivity. In fact, she leveraged each cultural context to her advantage. She used Swahili proverbs, Nepali symbolism, and used examples from the daily life of Haitian migrant workers, former soldiers from Zimbabwe, and physicians in Bangladesh. The question remains, “How did she do it?” In almost every case Vella presented, she did careful research of her learners as is consistent with her first principle of doing a “needs assessment.” (Chapter 1, Location 390) Her methods work because cultural sensitivity and contextualization is intrinsically present in the principles of effective adult learning introduced in chapter one and in the six elements of quantum thinking first presented in chapter two. Every culture needs to feel safe (Principle 2), values relationships (Principle 3), learns in sequence (Principle 4), assimilates information while reflecting on the practice (Principle 5), values respect (Principle 6), is made up holistically (Principle 7), wants to learn practical skills and information (Principle 8), is able to “own” their learning (Principles 9 and 10), engage with the material (Principle 11), and measure what they have learned (Principle 12).
Can quantum thinking model of education inform the way we approach the young people in our church or is it just suitable for the developmental stage of adulthood?
I am hoping to find something useful for youth ministry.
Some developmental stages may not see the value or even possess the cognitive ability to take responsibility for all aspects of learning, but there are many applications of Vella’s principals for youth ministry. Each example Vella presented included her taking into account the needs of her learners. A needs assessment is crucial to teaching any age learner (Chapter 1, Location 395). Relationships between instructor and learner are important at any stage (Chapter 6, Location 1,721). Youth as well as adults need to see the connection between the material and the value it has to their life (Chapter 1, Location 607)
What does a book about education have to teach me about creating worship experience, since our main objective is not education?
My presupposition is that this book is about the transfer of information and not guiding congregants in a worship service.
Though no grades are given, a church service can harness these principals to communicate and foster interaction between its participants. In a way, they are learning to approach God. All the principals can be applied in a church setting, but some obvious applications are immediacy, reflecting on Praxis, and Safety.. Vella notes how people often give up on a course if they do not see the connection to their life (Chapter 1, Location 612). This is true of church goers as well. Without putting education into practice and reflecting on the learning, the learners miss out on the richness of what they are learning (Chapter 8, Location 1,919). Safe language, accessibility of a teacher, and mutual respect all promote safety in the learning environment (Chapter 5, Location 1,305). How many churches could benefit from implementing this principal of Safety into their community culture?
What implications does a book that touts the “death” of a professor hold for a pastor in an American church context?
Could this idea mean a shift back towards the first century Jewish Synagogue model of worship?
Vella points out an example of a professor concerned about getting all the way through a set of objectives in a class (Chapter 12, Location 2,878). She goes on to point out that the learning is more important than going through all the set material. In the church situation, Pastors share the same trepidation about sermons and lectionaries. This plan places an emphasis on real application of the learning not mere course completion. Perhaps the sermon is interrupted, perhaps the sermon isn’t preached, and perhaps the church meeting wouldn’t be as big, but under this model congregations wrestle with issues and reflect on God’s role in their life.
SUMMARY
Jane Vella’s book structure of statement, illustration, and evaluation paints a new picture of education that is applicable to different cultures, developmental stages, and even educational settings such as a church. She applies concepts from quantum physics to dialogue and contrasts them with a Newtonian educational model that emphasizes professor monologue. This has tremendous implications for the traditional sermon. This is the most easily applicable concept in church context because the pastor can empower her congregation to take ownership of their learning, provide a safe environment and team up to unveil God’s love to a hurting world!
Life has an interesting way of surprising us if we are looking for it. Sometimes it surprises us when we are not. I think God smiles at that.
I wrote something about my grandfather's leadership style last week, and yesterday I realized a connection between two events that cannot be a coincidence.
For years, my grandfather encouraged me to continue my education. For one reason or another, I put it off. Getting a job, keeping a job, getting married, having children, were all major reasons for my decade of preparation.
My grandfather was always patient, and he was always encouraging.
Just a few short months after I began my degree, my "Pop" went to heaven. June 15, 2011 was a day I'll never forget. You don't forget those calls. His memorial service was not long after that. It was a day he'd be proud of. That morning, I performed a wedding ceremony. His memorial service was in the afternoon, and my daughter was born that evening. It was a full circle day in every sense of the term. I don't believe everything is coincidence.
I just realized that I will walk across a stage and receive a degree on the anniversary of my grandfather's passing. I don't know how to connect all the dots for you, the reader.
I do know that this is a sign, an encouragement, or something from above. Perhaps it means I'm on the right path, or perhaps I needed to know that someone is watching me. It's nice to know I'm not alone. Isolation and loneliness often accompany my line of work. For now, I'm basking in this little surprise from God, and I'm thankful that there is another layer of significance to this life event.
As my degree program winds down, I am reflecting a lot on the past few years. I’ve lost count of the books and articles we’ve read and I feel like I’ll need a few more years to go back and process the learning my colleagues and I have accumulated (at break neck pace!).
I came across a journal entry I wrote during my first week of class. Little did Marie or I know that we were expecting our second little one during the course of the program. We also had no idea that we’d change states, churches, and jobs AND sell a house AND buy a house during the MAGL too!
Here is my entry and I’m proud to say my expectations for this time were exceeded.
“The MAGL class is the culmination of a dream my wife and I nurtured for 8 years! A few professors at Oral Roberts University talked about Fuller Seminary, and one of my Graduate professors is an Alumi of Fuller, so I looked up the website. I noticed the M. Div. with a concentration in worship and the arts. Something in me stirred. I have a background in the Theatre and as someone who creates worship experiences, taking classes like “Pop Culture and Theology” greatly appealed to me. So from 2002 we have prayed and waited for the right time to take on this venture but things have never seemed to line up quite right. We were planning to move to Pasadena, California in 2004. Instead we took an opportunity to move to Austin, Texas to be youth pastors at Shoreline Church. It seemed that Pasadena would have to wait!
I wrote off the MAGL program because I had so many credits toward an M. Div. I met with advisors from Austin Theological Seminary and even took an online class at Rockbridge seminary just to sharpen myself, but nothing was a good fit. About a year and a half ago, I visited Fuller’s website again and did some more research on the MAGL program and learned more about the format, content, and professors. It seemed to be a perfect fit, especially since most Grad Schools require a significant time spent on campus, the MAGL held great appeal! After a year or so of planning and working with our church calendar, here we are!!!”
If I knew all the life changes in store for us in the past two years, I wouldn’t have tried. Sometimes it is a good thing to not know what you are in for. God’s word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. As I look back, the past two years were crucial to my personal growth as a husband, father, and minister. I’m very glad I only had to worry about “the path” one step at a time. I am comforted by that thought. It brings perspective. I don’t have to see 10 steps down the road. Now I don’t want to see that far ahead. I might shy away from the journey if I did know.
A few things I wish I'd known before I started at Fuller...
At the moment I'm taking a quick break from composing my final paper for my graduate studies at Fuller Seminary. As I look back on my experience I'm extremely grateful for the friendships I've made and how deeply I appreciate what my colleges have taught me over the past two years. I never expected to learn just as much from my peers as my professors. What a treat!
Here's a short list of things I wish I'd known before going back to school:
1. I'd make some of the deepest and most life giving friendships I've ever had. The cohort format deepens these connections and learning. Studying with the same group of people over an extended period of time has greatly enhanced my experience.
2. JR Woodward's blog. You'll have to check it out to see what I mean.
3. Ebooks would change my life. So would Evernote.
4. How to put page numbers on a document, but not on the cover page or table of contents. Thanks google.
5. Research is a lot harder now that Facebook exists. Tumblr too!
If you are considering a seminary, I'd highly suggest you take a look at Fuller's MAGL program. I'd be happy to talk to you about it if you are.
That's it for now. Back to writing.
...6. After proof reading and asking for people to proof read my papers, I realize how much I use the passive voice in everyday speech. I have uncovered a large area of personal growth in the past two years. One of the biggest things I am taking away from this degree is a sense of boldness, a sense of assertiveness. I may crack a few egg shells here and there with some new behaviors, but I'm done with passivity.
I am 34 and I still love it when my grandmother and uncle help me with my homework. Thank you Mimi and Uncle Rich for reading pages and pages...and pages of garbled grammar! Oh, and apparently I have a problem spelling the word career. Whew...got it now. Credit goes to spell check on that one.
When I dream alone, it is just a dream. When we dream together, it is the beginning of reality. When we work together, following our dream, it is the creation of heaven on earth.
