Subject Didactics of Biblical Studies
Keywords:
Teacher training, Biblicalt Studies, DidacticsSynopsis
@1991
ISBN O 86981 692 6
Foreword
The appearance of a new publication in Subject Didactics is a memorable occasion indeed. In this important part-discipline of Education, student teachers as well as teachers get to grips with the essence of education – the interaction between tutor and pupil. The subject Didactics, as a component of the curriculum of the secondary school, is a challenge to teachers in more ways than one. A sound theoretical foundation, together with proven practical advice, makes this work a useful textbook for those interested in Subject Didactics. The author - an experienced educationist and capable academic - is an authority on his subject. Subject Didactics of Biblical Studies is a welcome addition to the science of teaching. This book should make a valuable contribution to the training of teachers.
INTRODUCTION
In this work it is assumed that students who study Subject Didactics of Biblical Studies already have sufficient knowledge of Biblical Studies to master the learning content of the subject that has to be taught at school. Accordingly, no attempt is made to instruct students in Biblical Studies. Where examples are needed, schemes that are widely applicable in Biblical Studies are used. Broad examples such as these remain applicable regardless of syllabus changes. This book attempts to lead students to apply their existing knowledge of Biblical Studies when teaching the subject at school. It is thus divided into two main parts: The structure of Subject Didactics of Biblical Studies: This structure provides the theoretical substructure for planning instruction in Biblical Studies. Planning instruction: This is a theoretical reflection on how the learning content of Biblical Studies is presented according to a definite structure. In planning instruction, it is essential to reflect on the preparation for instruction. Teaching preparation is the junction between theoretical reflection and the practical presentation of a Biblical Studies lesson. The book also suggests ways of presenting lessons in Biblical Studies.
Contents
Foreword ................................................................................................................... xiii
SECTION A: ORIENTATION ............................................................................... 3
SECTION B: STRUCTURE OF SUBJECT DIDACTICS OF
BIBLICAL STUDIES .................................................................... 15
1 TEACHING PRINCIPLES ........................................................................ 17
1.1 The traditional teaching principle .............................................................. 17
1.1.1 Meaning and general application ............................................................... 17
1.1.2 Special application of the traditional teaching principle
in Biblical Studies lesson presentations ..................................................... 18
1.2 The teaching principle of observation ....................................................... 20
1.2.1 Meaning and general application ............................................................... 20
1.2.2 Particular application of the teaching principle of observation
in Biblical Studies lesson presentations ..................................................... 21
1.3 The teaching principle of activity ............................................................... 23
1.3.1 Meaning and general application ............................................................... 23
1.3.2 Application of the teaching principle of activity ...................................... 24
1.4 Co-ordination of teaching principles of observation and activity ......... 27
1.4.1 General application ....................................................................................... 27
1.4.2 Application of observation and activity in Biblical Studies
teaching ........................................................................................................... 27
1.4.3 Importance of the co-ordinated application of observation
and activity in the teaching of Biblical Studies ......................................... 28
1.5 The teaching principle of totality ................................................................ 29
1.5.1 Meaning and general application ............................................................... 29
1.5.2 The application of the teaching principle of totality
in Biblical Studies lesson presentations ..................................................... 29
1.6 The teaching principle of individuality ...................................................... 31
1.6.1 Meaning and general application ............................................................... 31
1.6.2 Particular application of the teaching principle of individuality
in Biblical Studies lesson presentation ...................................................... 31
1.7 Co-ordination of the teaching principles of totality and individuality 31
1.7.1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 31
1.7.2 The individuality of the Biblical Studies pupil's mutual influencing
in and by the totality of the Biblical Studies class group ........................ 32
1.8 The exemplary teaching principle ............................................................... 34
1.8.1 Meaning and general application ............................................................... 34
1.8.2 The exemplary teaching principle in the teaching of Biblical Studies .. 35
1.8.3 Guidelines for the application of the exemplary principle ..................... 36
1.8.4 The meaning of selecting examples for learning content
in Biblical Studies .......................................................................................... 38
1.9 The teaching principle of development ..................................................... 38
1.9.1 Meaning and general application ............................................................... 38
1.9.2 Application of the teaching principle of development.. .......................... 38
2 OBJECITVES ................................................................................................ 45
2.1 Meaning and general application .............................................................. . 45
2.2 Particular application of objectives in teaching Biblical Studies ........... 46
2.2.1 Explanation ..................................................................................................... 46
2.2.2 Remote objectives in teaching Biblical Studies ........................................ 47
2.2.3 Immediate objectives that ought to be achieved with separate
lesson preparation ......................................................................................... 48
2.2.4 The particular roles of immediate and remote objectives in
teaching Biblical Studies .............................................................................. 49
2.2.5 Summary ......................................................................................................... 49
3 TEACHING AND LEARNING CONTENT .......................................... 50
3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 50
3.2 Different views regarding knowledge of the content of the Bible ........ 50
3.2.1 Eybers .............................................................................................................. 50
3.2.2 Lombard .......................................................................................................... 50
3.2.3 Yan Huyssteen ............................................................................................... 50
3.2.4 Kinghorn ......................................................................................................... 51
3.2.5 Helberg ............................................................................................................ 51
3.2.6 Conclusion ...................................................................................................... 51
3.3 Auxiliary sciences that are used in teaching Biblical Studies ................ 51
3.3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 51
3.3.2 Exegesis of Scripture to support the teaching of Biblical Studies ......... 52
3.3.3 History as an auxiliary science in Biblical Studies ................................... 52
3.3.4 Archaeology as auxiliary science in teaching Biblical Studies ............... 53
3.3.5 Interdependent co-operation between auxiliary sciences in
teaching Biblical Studies .............................................................................. 54
4 MElliODS .................................................................................................... 56
4.1 The oral method ............................................................................................ 56
4.1.1 Meaning and general application ............................................................... 56
4.1.2 Application of oral teaching methods in lesson presentation ............... 57
4.1.3 A survey of some oral methods used in teaching Biblical Studies ........ 58
4.2 Method of postulation problems ................................................................ 73
4.2.1 Meaning and general application ............................................................... 73
4.2.2 Application of problem method .................................................................. 73
4.3 Textbook method ........................................................................................... 75
4.3.1 The relationship between the teacher, the Bible and the textbook ...... 75
4.3.2 Additional literature besides the textbook ................................................ 75
4.4 Co-ordination between teaching principles and teaching methods
in Biblical Studies .......................................................................................... 79
4.4.1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 79
4.4.2 Examples of co-ordination between principles and methods ................ 79
4.4.3 Summary ......................................................................................................... 81
5 MEDIA ........................................................................................................... 82
5.1 Meaning and general application ............................................................... 82
5.2 Specific application of media ...................................................................... 82
5.2.1 Teaching aids .................................................................................................. 82
5.2.2 Language use .................................................................................................. 89
5.2.3 The teacher as medium in teaching Biblical Studies ............................... 93
5.2.4 Drawing maps ................................................................................................ 95
5.2.5 Summary ......................................................................................................... 96
6 EVALUATION ............................................................................................. 97
6.1 Meaning and general application ............................................................... 97
6.2 Particular application of evaluation ........................................................... 97
6.2.1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 97
6.2.2 Evaluation in teaching without allocation of marks ................................ 99
6.2.3 Evaluation in teaching through allocating marks .................................. 101
6.2.4 Some hints on setting questions ................................................................ 103
6.2.5 Requirements for setting long questions ................................................. 104
6.2.6 Some advice regarding the formulation and application of
multiple-choice questions ........................................................................... 107
SECTION C: PLANNING OF TEACHING .................................................... 113
7 GENERAL PLANNING OF LESSONS ................................................ 115
7.1 Introduction .................................................................................................. 115
7.2 The introductory phase .............................................................................. 115
7.2.1 Explanation ................................................................................................... 115
7.2.2 Methods to motivate pupils to confine their attention to the
lesson ............................................................................................................. 117
7.2.3 Setting differentiated questions in the introductory phase
of a lesson ..................................................................................................... 123
7.2.4 The importance of the introductory phase in a Biblical Studies
lesson ............................................................................................................. 126
7.3 The presentation phase .............................................................................. 126
7.3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................. 126
7.3.2 Clarifying fundamental knowledge and creating understanding
of revelational-historical facts ................................................................... 127
7.3.3 Differentiation between Higher and Standard Grade pupils .............. 128
7.3.4 The reinforcement phase ........................................................................... 13 l
7.4 Summary of lesson presentation in Biblical Studies ............................. 133
8 LESSON TYPES ......................................................................................... 134
8.1 Introduction .................................................................................................. 134
8.2 Historical learning content with an abstract revelational element ..... 134
8.2.1 Explanation ................................................................................................... 134
8.2.2 Examples of lesson content with a mainly historical character ........... 135
8.3 Mainly abstract learning content containing a historical content ....... 141
8.3.1 Explanation ................................................................................................... 141
8.3.2 Jesus came to fulfil the Old Testament - the term "fulfil" or
"fulfilment" .................................................................................................... 141
8.3.3 Differentiated teaching of learning content with a mainly
abstract meaning .......................................................................................... 143
8.3.4 Applying types of lessons in teaching Biblical Studies .......................... 144
9 TEACHER PREPARATION .................................................................. 145 9.1 Introduction .................................................................................................. 145 9.2 Teachers must keep abreast of the latest scientific knowledge ........... 145
9.3 Preparation for the practical teaching of Biblical Studies .................... 146
9.3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................. 146
9.3.2 Subject policy in teaching Biblical Studies .............................................. 146
9.3.3 The initial theoretical reflection ............................................................... 147
9.3.4 Practice-oriented preparation for teaching Biblical Studies ................ 148
9.3.5 Practical problems that impede the teacher's preparation .................. 150
9.3.6 Summary ....................................................................................................... 150
9.4 Some basic aspects to be taken into account during preparation ....... 151
9.4.1 Explanation ................................................................................................... 151
9.4.2 Important basic teaching principles and methods in teaching
preparation for Biblical Studies ................................................................ 151
SECTION D: PRESENTATION OF THE LESSON ..................................... 155
10 PRESENTATION OF THE LESSON IN BIBLICAL STUDIES ..... 157
10.1 Introduction .................................................................................................. 157
10.1.1 Perspective of the layman .......................................................................... 157
10.1.2 Answering questions ................................................................................... 157
10.1.3 Communication between teacher and pupil in a lesson ....................... 158
10.1.4 Summary ....................................................................................................... 159
10.2 Some examples of lesson presentation .................................................... 159
10.2.1 Explanation ................................................................................................... 159
10.2.2 Differences between the Synoptic gospels and the Gospel
according to John ........................................................................................ 159
10.2.3 "You shall not steal" (Higher Grade abstract learning content) ......... 163
10.3 A final word .................................................................................................. 166
Bibliography ............................................................................................................. 167
