Mr. Obama

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A New Pedagogical Approach

Today marked a departure from the norm. "Norm," of course, is a very subjective term. Can I have a "teaching norm" if I've only taught four classes over two semesters? Anyway, I have been struggling through teaching THEO 422 "Christianity at Work." It's the final class for the Biblical Studies required courses for gen. ed. credits. So, there are several juniors and seniors and one or two sophomores. To sum up, I'm more of a discussion-oriented teacher and find that if I'm well-prepared, the discussion seems to come more freely and go more smoothly. However, this class proved me wrong. I have gone to class un-prepared, hoping to spontaneously produce mass amounts of discussion. Nada. I have gone to class with several anecdotes or other outside material hoping to spark conversation. Zilch.

So, last night, I was preparing for a lecture on "role models." We are talking about living out our character/ethics in such a way that people follow our example. In order for this subject matter to work, there has to be a conversation. I can't just tell them about Mother Theresa and say, "Go and do likewise." So, late into the evening, after Yadier Molina smacked in the go-ahead run to finally beat the Phillies, I started racking my brain. I googled "role model" and came up with this website which got their brains working towards who a role model is. This site mentions Christopher Reeves, Brad Pitt, Barbara Bush, etc. and was useful in trying to figure out why a person is deemed a role model. Then, I started thinking about the procedure of a fellow professor. He told me he uses video in as many lectures as possible. So, I hopped on the ol' YouTube.com and started looking for "role model" videos. That, quickly, took me to "hero" video content and the creative juices started flowing. I used five videos in the class all embedded in a PowerPoint presentation (which required this and this in order to just present the stuff. All of the things that YouTubers suggested wouldn't work for embedding the videos, so I had to look here for some help.

So, I used the "online" approach and was able to see the videos and use them as conversation stimulators. I started with this: and talked about the people who do not want to be role models and how that is thrust upon them. Then, I moved to this: to illustrate a good role model. He wasn't someone with fame or success as we measure it, but saves a stranger's life and becomes a heroic figure. Then, we went to this: to illustrate the difference between good and bad role models. I talked about the pedestal we lift sports figures upon and when they come crashing down, our world is destroyed as well. I also talked about Mark McGwire and how St. Louis fans really don't know what to think about him, now. That was "on the fly" so no video on that. Then, we talked about ethical vs. non-ethical role models. The non-ethical role models are people who are successful and who's strategies and/or hard work we can emulate to make ourselves better. The ethical role models are people who's ethical standard exceeds our own. I used the foremost ethical role model who shaped generations of children, Mr. Rogers: Then, I finished with a song by John Lennon performed by Green Day: in order to show how these ordinary people became extraordinary heroes by simply surviving.

I was really happy with the discussion that created. I wasn't going for something political and could have used several examples of people here who have overcome circumstances, but with the limited time this is what I came up with. I used this last video to say, How will you be remembered? Is your example something worth emulating? Are your role models people who are worth emulating?

Any thoughts? Criticisms, etc.? I'm trying to engage this class and utilizing a medium with which they are very familiar seems to be helping. The three cups of coffee I had before class seemed to help me sell it.

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A Change of Direction

I've been thinking that I needed to do something different with this blog. At first, I was planning on creating a brand new blog with a catchy title and several contributors. Now, I just think I might add some contributors to this blog.

The catalyst for this movement came in the form of an offer to teach at Evangel University again. My thoughts were to create a biblioblog and force myself to think critically about this field I have chosen. The plan was to contribute a book review a week (with contributors rotating reviews) and posting thoughts on theological stuff, world events, or whatever we felt was necessary at the time. I'm still hoping to reach that goal, but for now, I'll have to take the reins myself and see if any other bloggers jump on.

In the midst of all this, I still have to prepare for three classes (Yay!) at Evangel and figure out how to manage the childrens' new schedules as well as spend time with my wonderful wife. So, posting might be sporadic until I can figure out a schedule and wrangle up some other bibliobloggers (to continue with the equine/Western theme).

I'm sure there will be random posts about hiking, the family, etc., but the focus will primarily rest on theological issues that concern us. We'll see what happens!

EDIT: Oh, and I'll still be posting my journal from my hiking trip oh so many months ago...

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He drives!!!

It's very frightening being a parent. Not only are you responsible for another human being. You have to make sure they're healthy make sure they learn what to do and what not to do and teach them how to survive on their own. Well, he's learning.

He has begun driving. if you'll notice, in the background there's an actual car zooming past going the opposite direction. This is not the "drive around the parking lot" or "drive through the field" driving, this is actual, on the road crossing busy streets driving.

Yesterday, I took him to the DMV and he took his permit test. He passed with only reading the first few chapters of the book (something he'll have to finish before he actually drives a lot). We celebrated at Taco Bueno, then I drove across two busy streets and he drove the rest of the way home.

When he got into the driver's seat the second time, he put his permit (now a card instead of a piece of paper) right in front of him on the dashboard. It promptly fell down behind the dashboard. So, I had to take the dashboard apart before I realized I could have just stuck my hand behind, under and around to get it.

Ahh, the adventure that is parenting. This is going to be so much fun. I've gotten to the point where if he is getting too close to the edge of the road on the right side, I'll just tap on the dashboard instead of grabbing it with both hands and yelling, "WATCH OUT!!!" He stays more calm that way...

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50 days?

Wow, it doesn't seem like 50 days since I last posted. Here's the short of it: Colorado was awesome, we have a new puppy, new Jeep and new house to move into. I'll post as soon as possible, but it might take me a bit. I have to pack!!!

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Three days to go...

Here it is, Tuesday, almost Wednesday. Man this was a long day. This morning went like a normal morning. I took the youngest to school, came back to watch SportsCenter and drink a cup of coffee.

Then, 'bout 9:30, it all went haywire. A friend called and told me that he had a used tire that I could come by and have installed because I decided to run over a huge nail this weekend. And as I was at his dealership, I came across an Architectural Digest in which was an advertisement featuring a Patek Philippe watch. *sigh* I miss working at the jewelry store.

Anyway, I decided last night that I was going on a walk today. Boy, did I walk. I filled my water reservoir last night, another bottle and two Clif bars this morning. I have to say that my new backpack is really cool. I weighed just my body and it came in at a certain weight. Then, I put on my backpack and came in at 30 lbs. heavier. Now, if I may remind you that here, here and here I walked with 20 lbs. It really is amazing how much difference 10 lbs. makes. It's huge...

I trekked, again, down the Galloway Creek Trail. This time, I started at the cemetery and walked north to the school and back, again. Another 7 miles with 10 more lbs. on my back, did I mention that? I managed to do all 7 miles (with a potty break) in 2 hours and 5 minutes with 10 more lbs. on my back. It was heavy. The first mile or two was pretty rough, then I realized that I was going to be late picking up the boy from school, so I got a move on and managed to make it.

It was too crazy after that for any in depth, life-altering moments of inspiration, but I accomplished something closer to what I had intended. If you can walk 7 miles in just 2 hours with a small elevation change, then you can probably walk 7 miles with thousands of feet of elevation change in a day. I think I will gain the most in my attitude. I managed to push through the pain and physical hindrances to accomplish my goal. Now, with that same motivation and intentionality, I'll be able to push past the pain and accomplish whatever goal I have set for that day.

I'm getting so excited I can't stand it. I'm planning on journaling and taking lots of pictures. So, when I get back, I'll fill you in on all of the details and life-changing moments.

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The day after that

Wow, it's been five days since Mother's Day. That means six days since my trek under Battlefield Road and through Sequiota Park. I'm not trying to be a big, fat slacker. No, really, I'm not. At least that's what I keep telling myself.

A brief recap: Well, Monday, I went to Evangel University. That's the school that let me come and spread my heresy last Fall. I knew that they wanted me to come back, but hadn't heard what classes or how many and it just so happened that I had borrowed a book from the department chair. How convenient. Towards the end of the conversation, he asked the million dollar question: How is it going with getting your credentials. What? Credentials? Oh, yeah, that's the application that's been sitting on the counter for a few weeks. Here's the backstory: The president of Evangel requires all the Theology professors, adjunct or full time, to have their minister's license with the Assemblies of God. Needless to say, my motivation to get my license is dependent on teaching at Evangel and not on actually preaching. My wife and I talked about this long and hard. We both feel that my expertise lay in the classroom and not the pulpit. I hesitate to say never, but I don't see myself in the pulpit. I guess I can see the president's point, but it doesn't make it any easier.

So, chair asked the big question and I had to tell him the truth. To make a "brief" story shorter, I have been working for the last four days on getting everything done that I can do. That means, meeting with people, passing out references, getting transcripts, all that's done. Now, I have to wait for the references to get in, then go take a test over all the things the A/G believes. What could be more fun??? Well, I've already been to the dentist and I don't have any cavities, so that's out.

I have talked to the chair recently and he told me that those who are seriously pursuing their credentials will have the opportunity to teach. So, that's the good thing. That means that I'll still be able to teach even without the paper in hand. That's a good thing.

So, now I'm six days removed from my last hike. That means I better get my new pack and get moving.

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