Teaching Religion:
Creative Strategies and Best Practices

course designed by Jane E. Ayer, Boston College Institute of Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry Part-Time Faculty and Director of Religious Education for the Archdiocese of Boston Catholic Schools Office. Video features Thomas Groome and master teachers; articles by Jane E. Ayer and Melinda Brown Donovan.


Focused on the elementary and junior high catechist and religious educator, this course explores teaching as a vocation, the various types of learners, and different approaches to presenting religious education material. It is not dependent on any catechetical textbook series.

Course Will Be Offered:
4 week course
Oct. 13 - Nov. 6, 2009 (Site opens Oct. 5 and closes Nov. 13.)

Special Features

This course includes:

  • 2 articles by Jane E.Ayer; 1 article by Melinda Brown Donovan
  • handouts by Thomas Groome to accompany his video; handout by Jane E. Ayer, "Guided Meditation for Children."
  • 3 videos with presentations by Thomas Groome or Thomas Groome in conversation with master religious educators
  • 1 PowerPoint presentation re: multiple intelligences and religious education designed by Jane E. Ayer
  • weekly study guide with questions for reflection and discussion
  • a "town meeting" forum where you can meet other participants and socialize

All C21 Online courses include these features:

  • Participants have access 24 hours/7 days a week to the course's password protected web site.
  • Each participant belongs to a small community for conversation and faith sharing guided by a facilitator.
  • Site is open to participants at least one week before and one week after the course.
  • An orientation in how to navigate the web site is always available.
  • Technical assistance is easy to contact and prompt in returning a message.
  • Those who actively participate receive an acknowledgement of completion of course.

Topics

Week 1: Teaching as a Vocation and Modelling Jesus' Pedagogy

Week 2: Pedagogical Models and Being a Reflective Teacher

Week 3: Honoring the Senses and the Theory of Multiple Intelligences

Week 4: Creating Sacred Space and Ways of Praying

Additional Materials Needed

All materials provided in the course.

Time Commitment

A participant can expect to spend an average of approximately 3-4 hours each week. This commitment includes both the assigned reading and interaction online.

Fee: $75

Content Scholar: Jane E. Ayer, Thomas H. Groome, Melinda Brown Donovan

Lead Facilitator: tba

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