Resources

John Bracke and Karen Tye, a biblical scholar and a religious educator, have come together to offer a vital new work of practical insight into the task of teaching the Bible in the church. Intended for pastors, church educators, lay teachers, and those in seminary, this book provides a blueprint for effective teaching that lead beyond just conveying information to opening oneself and the learner to transformation through the text. It is teaching the Bible in its most faithful form, as an invitation to fully encounter the scriptures and the God who empowers transformation. (From the Publisher)

This short, inexpensive guide is designed to help readers learn to think critically about any subject-matter. A combination of instruction and exercises shows how to use critical thinking to more fully to appreciate what they read, to see the connections of what they read to their day-to-day lives, and to become active readers rather than passive recipients of information. Using a fresh, lively approach, this book covers the definition of critical thinking; critical thinking within fields of study such as philosophy, biology, and sociology; the elements of reasoning; standards of critical thinking; and thinking through important critical-thinking questions. An excellent guide for those who want to improve their learning skills. (From the Publisher)

Aging Education provides educators in aging studies with a unique text that responds to the paucity of instructional strategies and teaching materials. By developing and explaining a multidisciplinary approach to working with older adults in areas related to health, education, ethics, law, cultural competency for a multicultural population, translating social policy into practice, spirituality, and human services, the editors provide an imaginative and thought-provoking unmet need for gerontology educators by providing them with teaching and practice strategies in aging education. (From the Publisher)

This much acclaimed text has been fully updated to incorporate the latest advances in the field. As leading authorities on adult education and training, Elwood Holton and Dick Swanson have revised this edition building on the work of the late Malcolm Knolwes. Keeping to the practical format of the last edition, this book is divided into three parts. The first part contains the classic chapters that describe the roots and principles of andragogy, including a new chapter, which presents Knowles' program planning model. The second part focuses on the advancements in adult learning with each chapter fully revised updated, incorporating a major expansion of Androgogy in Practice. The last part of the book will contain an updated selection of topical readings that advance the theory and will include the HRD style inventory developed by Dr. Knowles. This new edition is essential reading for adult learning practitioners and students and HRD professionals. It provides a theoretical framework for understanding the adult learning issues both in the teaching and workplace environments. * Definitive classic, 5th edition sold over 20,000 copies. * Essential reading for a wide audience of practitioners and students in the field of adult learning and human resource development. * Incorporates Knowles'classic theories on adult learning alongside the latest advances in the field. (From the Publisher)

Mapping the Territory of Teaching offers a review of the most current and important writings on the topic of scholarship of teaching and learning in higher education. One of the foremost experts in the field, Editor Maryellen Weimer is uniquely qualified to bring this information together. (From the Publisher)

Higher education is becoming destabilized in the face of extraordinarily rapid change. The composition of the academy's most valuable asset—the faculty—and the essential nature of faculty work are being transformed. Jack H. Schuster and Martin J. Finkelstein describe the transformation of the American faculty in the most extensive and ambitious analysis of the American academic profession undertaken in a generation. A century ago the American research university emerged as a new organizational form animated by the professionalized, discipline-based scholar. The research university model persisted through two world wars and greatly varying economic conditions. In recent years, however, a new order has surfaced, organized around a globalized, knowledge-based economy, powerful privatization and market forces, and stunning new information technologies. These developments have transformed the higher education enterprise in ways barely imaginable in generations past. At the heart of that transformation, but largely invisible, has been a restructuring of academic appointments, academic work, and academic careers—a reconfiguring widely decried but heretofore inadequately described. This volume depicts the scope and depth of the transformation, combing empirical data drawn from three decades of national higher education surveys. The authors' portrait, at once startling and disturbing, provides the context for interpreting these developments as part of a larger structural evolution of the national higher education system. They outline the stakes for the nation and the challenging work to be done. (From the Publisher)

"Soul Searching tells the definitive story of the religious and spiritual lives of contemporary American teenagers. It reports the findings of the National Study of Youth and Religion, the largest and most detailed study of teenagers and religion ever undertaken. Based on a nationwide telephone survey of teens and their parents, as well as in-depth face-to-face interviews with more than 250 of the survey respondents, Soul Searching shows that religion is indeed a significant factor in the lives of many American teenagers. Chock-full of carefully interpreted interview data and solid survey statistics, Soul Searching reveals many surprising findings." Combining a national overview with an insider's view of teenage religious and nonreligious perspectives, Soul Searching provides not only an unprecedented understanding of adolescent religion and spirituality but also, because teenagers may be bellwethers for future trends, an important window through which to observe and assess the future of American religion. (From the Publisher)

Christians are of two minds about excellence. We commend excellent teaching, seek out excellent health care, and celebrate excellence in the arts. When a Christian life of congregation is described as excellent, however, we are suspicious that achievement, ambition or success may get the best of us. Cultural standards of excellence may turn out to be Christian stumbling blocks. "Resurrecting Excellence" urges Christians to reclaim their distinctive understanding and emphasis on excellence: an unselfish ambition for the gospel. The life death and resurrection of Jesus are both the basis and the goal of our summons to excellence. Drawing on ancient traditions as well as contemporary voices, the authors -- a divinity school dean and a parish pastor -- offer both a theology of excellence and compelling portraits of pastors, lay leader, congregations, and judicatories who embody "a more excellent way." Excellence in Christian ministry requires the capacity for measuring life by the complexities of judgment and grace as well as budgets and buildings. "Resurrecting Excellence" commends this beautiful and challenging task to all with a heart and mind for the excellence of God. (From the Publisher)

Pastoral ministry is an occupation in flux. In this comprehensive study Jackson Carroll considers the many factors — changing roles among clergy and laypeople, the opening of ordination to women, an increasing shortage of clergy, and more — that are shaping congregations and ministers today. Building on Paul’s image of Christians as “clay jars,” Carroll paints a portrait of “God’s potters” — pastors whose calling is to form their congregational jars so that they reveal rather than hide God’s treasure. A veteran clergy watcher, Carroll uses data from what is likely the most representative survey of Protestant and Catholic clergy ever undertaken, as well as focus group interviews and congregational responses, to take a hard look at who is doing ministry today, what it involves, and how pastors are faring in leading their congregations. Significantly, his study covers clergy from a broad range of traditions — Catholic, mainline Protestant, conservative Protestant, and historic black churches. Replete with pertinent tables and figures, God’s Potters culminates with specific strategies for strengthening pastoral leadership and nurturing excellence in ministry. (From the Publisher)

Increase student learning with an effective classroom management plan! One of the most challenging tasks for teachers is classroom management that ensures high levels of achievement for all students. In this updated edition, Karen Bosch helps preservice and experienced teachers develop classroom management plans tailored to their specific needs and skills. She discusses a five-step process that includes introspection, classroom observation, plan development, implementation, and plan revision. Field-tested for more than ten years, this unique book includes: Worksheets with questions to guide each step of the process Ample vignettes and examples Strategies for organization, discipline, classroom operation, and instruction Tips for working with diverse students This excellent resource provides guidance for teachers seeking to create a positive classroom environment, plan for student-centered learning, and meet the demands of today’s classrooms. (From the Publisher)