Currently, there is a trend in public education to change teaching methods. In addition, students need teachers who constantly provide new, meaningful experiences and therefore change according to modern requirements. The combination of novelty and meaning underlies the cognitive process itself; however, it is not only what happens in our minds. Learning is an interaction between people that changes depending on the situation. The chapter raises an exciting solution to the question of how best to promote intellectual development from a Christian point of view.
Transformative learning involves creating dynamic teacher-student relationships and knowledge sharing to promote student learning and personal growth. From this point of view, teachers are intellectual trainers who help students interact with each other and their teachers to master the arrays of information (Dockery et al. 475). The preparation of a good teacher, not only in this context but in general, has an important place. Today, many still consider knowledge as something that a person will be taught. The authors say that being deeply and comprehensively trained in the field being taught is the path to success as a teacher. However, according to the authors, the highest priority should be the student from both pedagogical and spiritual points of view (Dockery et al. 477). That is the difference between mere informational and transformational learning.
Contrary to the belief of many educators, emotions (when used with intent and judgment) not only do not hinder learning but facilitate it. The suggestion that the spiritual element in learning is irrelevant to purpose seems rash in the face of the role that emotions and feelings play in human life (Dockery et al. 493). Transformational learning is based on the idea that the instructor’s goal is more than providing information. In this regard, the changed role of the teacher in transformational learning will make it possible to appeal to faith, and emotions and, thanks to this, make learning more effective.
Work Cited
Dockery, David S., et al. “Faith and Transformational Teaching.” Faith and Learning: A Handbook for Christian Higher Education, B&H Publishing Group, 2012, pp. 475–498.