Volume 14 Issue 1
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Publication Anzacs were Secular but . . . Soldiers Steeped in Biblically-informed Worldview had Passive Belief in “diffusive Christianity”(Avondale Academic Press, 2020-07-01) Reynaud, DanielIt’s always tempting to see the past in terms of the present, to deny the past its difference. In Australia, perhaps that temptation has been hardest to resist when it comes to Anzac history. In popular imagination and representation, the Anzacs are routinely invested with the attitudes and beliefs of late 20th century and early 21st century Australia. We explain the motivations of people 100 years ago according to today’s values and norms.
Publication Flourish: The Impact of an Intergenerational Program on Third-grade Students’ Social and Emotional Wellbeing with Application to the PERMA Framework(Avondale Academic Press, 2020-07-01) Morey, Peter; Beamish, Peter; Gray, AngelaIntergenerational programs are increasingly being recognised as a means of promoting wellbeing through connecting communities, promoting caring relationships, and combating loneliness and isolation. While existing research provides evidence of the positive benefits of intergenerational programs for the elderly, there is limited research on the impact that these programs have on children’s wellbeing. The aim of this study was to measure the impact of the intergenerational program, ‘Flourish’, on student social and emotional wellbeing.
Publication Crazy, Grace-filled God Moments(Avondale Academic Press, 2020-07-01) Melgosa, AnnetteToday was a series of crazy, grace-filled “God moments” so profound in their combined healing effect that I had to put my feelings to pen.
Publication MJR 24/7: A Book for Life(Avondale Academic Press, 2020-07-01) Cameron, KarynIn a world of shifting sands, young people are often left to navigate unchartered pathways in life with very little guidance, other than their peers and the media. Parents find themselves unsure of how best to help, overwhelmed with their own workloads, lack of certainty and change. Even those families who are working with great intention to speak and guide the lives of their children, often feel that the deafening voices of society are weakening their sphere of influence. As a result, society, families, and young people look to schools to support and, at times, fill the role of positive guides in this world.
Publication Book Launch: Revealing Jesus in the Learning Environment(Avondale Academic Press, 2020-07-01) Stacey, BrentonA book compiled by two Avondale academics launched on Thursday February 27, 2020 will encourage Christian educators in any learning environment to more naturally and creatively reveal Jesus to their students.
Publication Being Outdoors: What Educators can Learn from Cross Disciplinary Research on the Benefits of the Outdoors on Health(Avondale Academic Press, 2020-07-01) Thompson, KellyAs people living in a modern world, our connection with nature is varied, which has an impact on health. This paper looks at cross-disciplinary research conducted on the impact the outdoors has on health, more specifically mental, physical, social and spiritual benefits. Results from different fields of research collectively strengthen claims made for the positive influence time outdoors has on health, and prompt educators to ask how Christian schools can take this knowledge and apply it in an educational setting for the benefit of students.
Publication Your Classroom as an Orchestra: Practical Differentiation Strategies(Avondale Academic Press, 2020-07-01) Stephenson, EsteeBut how can we connect deeply with our students, especially in the high school where we teach multiple classes, with students of different abilities? How can we realistically be their “champion”? The answer lies in knowing, understanding and catering to the learning of students through quality differentiated teaching practices.
Publication A Response to – A Decade of Encounter(Avondale Academic Press, 2020-07-01) Murdoch, DarylThis study—A Decade of Encounter—research commissioned by Adventist Schools Australia, offers valuable data worthy of reflection as we enter a new decade of Encounter’s implementation within Australia. The time and effort invested in the collection of these voices from the field is valued and appreciated. Recent engagement with the researchers has brought rich discussion and a commitment to make the Adventist Encounter curriculum even stronger as we embark on a revision of the curriculum in 2020. This dialogue will continue as time goes on.
Publication Design of Technology-enhanced Learning: Integrating Research and Practice(Avondale Academic Press, 2020-07-01) Freeman, HomaThe book Design of Technology-enhanced Learning: Integrating Research and Practice offers research-based evidence to formulate learning design. The deep and detail-oriented technology-enhanced learning research enables readers to formulate principles that can be applied in the learning design process.
Publication School Leader Preparation and Development Programs: What Teachers Want(Avondale Academic Press, 2020-07-01) Williams, PeterThis article aims to contribute to the literature
on school leader preparation and development
programs. It seeks to do this by identifying and
discussing elements that current faith-based
education system teachers would like to see
embedded in the creation of aspirant and novice
school leader preparation and development
programs. This research utilised a qualitative
research design, adopting semi-structured
interviews to collect employee perceptions. These
teachers identified a five-element framework for
leadership programs: School and Community;
Working With and Through Others; System
Understandings and Practice; Leadership
Wellbeing; and Special Character. This paper
proposes a number of recommendations that may
assist in the development of aspiring and novice
school leadership preparation and development
programs within this faith-based education
system.
Publication A Decade of Encounter Biblical Studies(Avondale Academic Press, 2020-07-01) Christian, Beverly J.; Kilgour, Peter W.; Fitzsimmons, Phil; Hill, BarryStarting with a brief history of the development
of the Encounter Bible curriculum and summary
of the evaluative research methodology,
this paper draws on teacher, student and
administrator interview data in its account
of teachers’ attempts to teach Encounter
Bible. The writers refer to selected points
of interest from their evaluation as they
discuss teacher perceptions of the Encounter
resource, assessment practice, the theory
behind planning, the teaching and learning
process, spirituality in schools and classrooms,
and professional development. They also
review student perceptions of teaching, and
administrator involvement in supporting
teachers. In surveying teacher achievements
and challenges, the paper addresses a limited
number of key issues that could ultimately be
of critical reflective importance for Christian
schools.
Publication Wellbeing Notebook - Pen and Paper: A Simple Formula for Enhancing Wellbeing(Avondale Academic Press, 2020-07-01) Christian, Beverly J.; Thompson, AndreaSitting in her classroom, Lynn wonders whether her pen pal, Jean, has received and read her letter. Several kilometres away, sitting in her armchair, Jean’s eyes light up as she reads the questions that Lynn has carefully written. She takes up a pen and begins to write. Theirs is a mutually beneficial relationship established through pen and paper, with the help of an envelope and an enthusiastic teacher who acted as a courier.
Publication Editorial(Avondale Academic Press, 2020-07-01) Perry, GraemeAs participant researchers, observing from the isolation of ‘down under’ the soaring statistics of ‘the covid-19 curve’, is there awareness of emergent new knowledge? Any understandings from the shape symbol hiding the personal tragedy of increasing illness, suffering, death, anxiety, unemployment, isolation, despair and anger about constraints? Any learning from home experiences? From populations of either cultural allies or past foes, whether that be at war or sport?
Publication Education for What? An Essential Question Amidst the COVID-19 Crisis from an American Perspective(Avondale Academic Press, 2020-07-01) Grant, JohnThe COVID-19 pandemic has thrown many schools around the country into turbulent waters. In a short period of time, many K – 12 Christian schools had to transition into the alternate universe known as virtual learning. Many educators have probably dabbled in virtual learning elements as a supplement to their normal pedagogical practice. Ironically, the challenges and questions with which many schools were immediately concerned were perpetually at the doors of many schools, not just Christian schools.
Publication Christian Schooling: Teachers’ Understanding of Purpose and Practice(Avondale Academic Press, 2020-07-01) Prior, ChrisChristian schools are faith-based communities offering education consistent with their particular approach to the Christian faith. Using language such as “Bible-based” or “Christ-centred”, Christian schools routinely suggest they provide a distinctively Christian approach to education. Central to the preservation of this approach is the teacher.
This paper is based on research into Christian Education National (CEN) teachers’ understandings of the purposes of Christian schooling and how students are exposed to Christianity within the school, including their classrooms.
This research identified that, despite varied understandings of the purposes for, or goals of, Christian schooling, teachers perceived that the Christian faith should be evident across all aspects of the Christian school.
Within classrooms, in addition to Bible reading, classroom devotions, and prayer, teachers suggested students were exposed to the Christian faith through the example set by staff. Further, teachers taught from a Christian perspective, or connected curriculum content with the Christian faith as opportunities arose.
Publication Dear First-Year Teacher(Avondale Academic Press, 2020-07-01) Arnold, Holly W.As an educator of pre-service teachers, I am often reminded of those first days in the classroom. If I could go back and speak to myself as a First-Year Teacher, this reflection is what I would say.