19 hours agoMarina Whaley Master TeacherCOLLAPSE

Most educators will agree that teaching and learning is very important part of our life and that we as educators need to use different approaches to promote children’s and our own learning. Learning is defined  as “an enduring change in behavior, or in the capacity to behave in a given fashion, which results from practice or other experience“. (Slavin&Schunk, 2017. p.3).

According to the Slavin and Schunk there are “three learning criteria: Learning involves change, learning endures over time, and learning occurs through experience”(p.3).

Thinking about definition of learning how it is defined and how would Jesus promote learning, no doubt that Jesus was and still is a Master teacher of all. Jesus promoted His learning by telling stories, by using parables which made His teaching to be more memorable, He use stories from everyday life. One such example of His parables is “Prodigal of the lost Son” (Luke 15:11-32 New International Version).Where Jesus is telling a story about the boy that had disowned his family, and after spending his entire inheritance, boy, had to come back home to beg for mercy, boy was quite surprised when his father welcomed him with open arms. Jesus also used visual illustrations in his teaching, in order to communicate his truth and His teaching. Jesus used repetition in His teaching  to help people to understand, more so remember his teaching. Jesus continue spoke about His death and resurrection”He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.” (Mark 8:31, New International Version). Jesus believed, what is repeated, will be remembered. Jesus also spoke by His authority, we educator always quote someone credible and famous Jesus on the other had alway stated “ You have heard this, but I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44, New King James Version). 

So, looking at the above examples of how Jesus promoted His learning there is no doubt that He is a Master teacher. I can see my self  using His ways of teaching  everyday in my classroom. I always use life examples during my lectures to help students relate the new material to their everyday life, permanently repeating the new concepts to ensure students memorization and assimilation of new material. 

The Biblical principles that I will use in my classroom will be love and grace, patience and understanding. I want to be a role model to my students, I will continue using Jesus way of teaching by repairing the new material to endure their learning, therefore I will use illustrations and embrace them with care and kind heart. We all are children of God and it is our job to be patient and to care for each other. 

Slavin, R. E., & Schunk, D.H. (2017). Learning theories: EDUC 500 (1st ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.

Van Brummelen, H. (2009). Walking with God in the classroom: Christian approaches to learning and teaching (3rd ed.). Colorado Springs, CO: Purposeful Design.