Beyond Transmissional Pedagogies in Christian Education: One School's Recasting of Values Education

Abstract

This article presents the efforts of one Christian school to counteract secular societal norms and foster Christian values in its students. Anecdotal observations led to an empirical study to ascertain students' thinking about values. In turn, the study results led to the school staff taking specific actions to address the realities discovered in the empirical study. These actions include movement from pedagogies of transmission to pedagogies of participation and transformation.

Notes

∗= p < 0.05; ∗∗= p < .01; ∗∗∗= p < .001.

Significances under “School Females” refer to comparisons against “School Males”.

All other significances refer to comparisons between the school and national averages for males, females, and combined males and females respectively.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

JOHN COLLIER

John Collier is Principal of St. Paul's Grammar School, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia.

MARTIN DOWSON

Martin Dowson is Director of Academic Development and Dean of Postgraduate Studies at the Australian College of Ministries.