A presentation given at the Learning and Teaching Conference of the University of Chester, 30/6/21. Grateful thanks for Luke Jones and Gordon Baillie for comments on early drafts of this paper. Let me begin this paper with an admission and challenge. I have to admit that I don’t know what your classroom is like and … More Teaching to transform: bell hooks and her influence for our classrooms
Over the last term or so I have been teaching rather a lot about dichotomies. These dichotomies are found throughout education- for example, the Traditional and Progressive approaches to teachings; or maybe the knowledge and skills debate. There are many more in Religious Education that I will explore in greater detail in this post. What … More Dichotomies and Religious Education
Last year I wrote a book that included a chapter on the beliefs and practices of Rastafari- during the course of this year as I have embarked on a ‘book tour’ of sorts I have referred to issues of power in all aspects of society and our relationships and used the beliefs and background of … More How understanding Rastafari can help us gain an insight into black lives matter
Joseph F. Smith once described the First Vision thus: “The greatest event that has ever occurred in the world, since the resurrection of the Son of God from the tomb and his ascension on high, was the coming of the Father and of the Son to that boy Joseph Smith, to prepare the way for … More The Legacy of the First Vision
We probably all recognise a caricature of RE lessons which revolves around tasks that keep children’s attention but don’t seem to stretch. We have all, perhaps, taught some of those lessons- and one important caveat is that each of learning experiences that we use that might in one lesson be incredibly valuable, but we need … More Challenge in RE
In Luke chapter 15 the Saviour give three parables: the parable of the lost sheep; the parable of the lost silver; and the parable of the lost or prodigal son. All seem to a variation on a theme- that which is lost can be, and should be, found. The prodigal son is the parable that … More Reconciliation and the Prodigal Son
This post originally appeared as part of the Email a Believer blog at RE Online Next year Latter-day Saints celebrate the 200th anniversary of the First Vision of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Who was this man? Firstly, it is important to note who he was not- he is not our Saviour, nor is he an … More Joseph Smith
This post originally appeared as part of the Email a Believer blog at RE Online One of the Articles of Faith in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is: We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all [people] the same privilege, let … More Engaging with difference
If I consider who I am, there are a few things that come to mind. Firstly, as a Latter-day Saint I believe I am a child of God, I am also a disciple of Jesus Christ. I am also a husband, a father and a friend. I am also a University lecturer and currently serve … More How beliefs impact classroom practice
This post originally appeared as part of the Email a Believer blog at RE Online When I was twenty years old I returned home from two years of missionary service for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was beginning university, a part time job and life seemed full of opportunity. I took … More What’s in a name?
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