Distinguishing between Aims and Methods in RE: a Study among Secondary RE Teachers

Abstract

Although current debates concerning the theory of religious education in Britain make a clear distinction between the aims and the methods of the subject, little is known regarding the way in which practising religious educators apply different methods to achieve specific aims. The present study, therefore, invited 210 secondary RE teachers to assess the effectiveness of 27 different methodological components in respect of the five aims for RE drawn from the SCAA Model Syllabuses. The findings demonstrate that religious educators perceive a clear link between methods and aim. The paper includes a detailed analysis of the teachers’ views on the effectiveness of different methods of RE for fulfilling different aims.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jeff Astley

Jeff Astley is Director of the North of England Institute for Christian Education and Honorary Lecturer in Theology and Education at the University of Durham. Leslie J Francis is D J James Professor of Pastoral Theology at Trinity College, Carmarthen and the University of Wales, Lampeter. Linda Burton is Lecturer in Religious Education at the University of Durham. Carolyn Wilcox is Research Fellow at the North of England Institute for Christian Education.