A forty-year old family man with seven children and experience of teaching in three countries, together with responsibilities of church leadership, had his ‘eureka’ moment in educational philosophy twenty years after all his college input.
That was me forty years ago. Now, Vivienne and I have 16 grandchildren, and what I learned then has a proven track record. I founded a company that has shared these insights to impact over 20,000 children over 30 years, with a curriculum that provides character training and reasoning skills with a personalised and individualised approach.
The company is Christian Education Europe. The methodology is mastery learning, and it is effective both in schools and home situations. Some of these basic principles can be helpful to children in this global emergency. The curriculum is the ACE PACE curriculum, for which our company has the franchise for distribution in Europe. CEE has also developed nationally appropriate supplementary material.
1. Children Should Be on the Right Level of Understanding.
This is achieved by diagnostic testing to determine which material is appropriate in each subject. A prescription is made on where to start so that the work is not too easy or too difficult in any subject. Chronological age in less important.
2. Children Should Be Taught to Set Their Own Goals.
A simple notice board in front of them will include a daily goal card showing how many pages each day in each subject. This is a life-forming habit and vital at college level. Of course, this makes it individualised in certain core subjects, but not in all. Such activities as a choir, orchestra, or team activity augment the printed curriculum.
3. Children Should Be Motivated.
The feeling of success through accomplishments motivates. The parent or teacher supervising this methodology will prioritise praise and encouragement and make sure the plan is followed. Yes, it is a system… and it works -- its disciplines develop character.
4. Children's Learning Should Be Measured.
Through a system of check-ups, a self-test and a final test on each unit of work, there is a process of continuous assessment. This is carefully recorded on the student’s progress card. If necessary, the material is reworked to gain mastery. Success is dependent only if 80% is achieved! Now there is no fear of end of term exams.
5. Children's Learning Should Be Rewarded.
Whether its green stamps, extra coffee stickers, or gift cards, the concept of the benefit of rewards for accomplishments is basic. In the ACE system, the students can earn merits. Creative ideas for rewards are suggested: outings, a privilege system, even trusted free time. This enhances the motivation needed.
More could be said about the above concepts. It’s not paper-based workbooks all day. The core requirements of literacy, numeracy and etymology, together with scientific and historical data, are well served by these five principles. In addition, they have application as well as afternoon activities that may be less formal.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the master teacher. He is the source of spiritual life, so He is referenced in this educational process. I am also a preacher, as well as an educator, and I would just say, didn’t Jesus treat people as separate individuals, discerning the level of help needed? He also certainly talked about the goals we set. I like Joshua’s goal -- ‘As for me and my house we will serve the Lord' -- or Paul’s -- ‘I press toward the mark of the sake of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.’ Jesus' disciples were so named because they were motivated by love and accepted His leadership. Yes, and there are tests and rewards in life. Under God’s scrutiny, there is a continuous assessment. His measurement matters.
Finally, God rewards and disciples and punishes, and that’s life. The ultimate graduation will come. For me at eighty, it will be sooner rather than later. This Coronavirus may change the world profoundly, so let us do the very best to prepare our children for whatever is ahead.
Arthur Roderick, Founder of Christian Education Europe