Click on the headings below for a description about the video and who it is for.
Is God Redundant in the Classroom? (21:59)
This is a recording of Professor Cooling’s inaugural lecture at CCCU in 2011. In response to Paul Hirst’s idea that Religious belief is a private matter, Professor Cooling argues that there is a very real place for a Christian approach to education. Belief in God shapes our ideas of what it means to be human and makes a huge difference to our pedagogy.
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Is there a place for God in Education? (14:47)
The RSA & Theos bring together an expert panel to debate whether schools should “do God in education.” Professor Cooling argues for a view of knowledge where peoples’ beliefs are treated as integral to their understanding of the world. He proposes that the most influential campaign for inclusive education in the UK is wrongly based on the supposition of the irrelevance of religion.
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What do we mean by Christian Education? (1:23:10)
Professor Cooling presents a lecture to students at Calvin University, Michigan on the research findings of “Christian faith in English Church Schools.” The research team spent a year working alongside fourteen teachers from Catholic and Church of England secondary schools, introducing them to What If Learning, a pedagogical initiative aimed at supporting teachers in developing Christian approaches to teaching and learning. He addresses both the positive experiences and struggles that teachers involved in this research faced.
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A Humanist and a Christian Debate Education (16:21)
Professor Cooling is in debate with Andrew Copson, the CEO of the British Humanist Association. Questions regarding the possibility/impossibility of neutrality in pedagogy are raised. Also, should God be on the agenda beyond the RE class? This resource offers an interesting debate regarding humanist and Christian views about Education in the UK.
Who is it for?
Introduction to teaching in an Anglican School (23:31)
In this presentation, Professor Cooling highlights the key characteristics of a secular age and stresses the importance of considering the influence of such factors in a Church school context. He also unpacks what is meant by Positive Christianity and Critical Realist Christianity when applied to classroom practice and why it makes a difference to pedagogy in a Christian school environment.
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Prayer Spaces in Schools (29:21)
Professor Cooling gives a very personal account of his faith journey and how it led him into teaching science and RE. He speaks candidly about his initial beliefs concerning his purpose as a RE teacher and how they developed to shape his latter approach to the subject and lifestyle within a Christian worldview. He considers how the Christian faith can help people deal with diversity, with the emphasis being on listening to others, and he explains the significance of prayer in bringing people together as a human community
Who is it for?
What if Learning – Braunston Church of England Primary School (5:00)
This clip presents the experience of a C of E primary school involved in the What If Learning research project. The school gives excellent classroom insight of how teachers were able to incorporate their own school values under the umbrella of the value of hospitality when teaching History.
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The Core Purpose of Anglican Schools (3:45)
Professor Cooling argues that the core purpose of Anglican schools is learning, but the experience of learning in the context of a Christian worldview.
Who is it for?
Performance versus Character (4:23)
Here, Professor Cooling considers the tension for schools between reaching performance goals and student overall character development. He argues that teaching can be framed to develop character in the expectation that it will bring about good performance. With a focus on pedagogy, performance will follow.
Who is it for?
Responding to Controversy (3:59)
Professor Cooling asks the question: What is the Christian approach to dealing with diverse opinions existing in society? He then goes on to suggest how diversity can be dealt with respectfully and wisely.
Who is it for?
What if Learning (5:42)
This clip outlines how the What If Learning initiative developed and its aim for education and pedagogy in a Christian context.
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What is Biblically shaped Education? (2:42)
Professor Cooling explains what is meant, as well as what it not meant, by the term Biblically shaped education. He also considers how Church secondary schools can prepare students for adult life in a way that is shaped by this approach.
Who is it for?
ALN Forum- Developing a Theological Vision in Education (1:16:12)
This lecture, given by Professor Cooling, explores what it means for Christian educators to design a theological vision for their school context. He considers the purpose of education; the notion of wisdom; the value of hospitality and character development. He also considers how young people can experience a school’s Christian vision of what it is to be a flourishing human being through learning within the classroom.
Who is it for?
Chelmsford Diocese Church School Leaders’ Conference (3:43)
Ralph Meloy from Chelmsford Christian diocese is in conversation with Professor Cooling and is asking various questions such as:
Professor Cooling gives his perspective on these and other questions raised.
Who is it for?
The Classroom and the Kingdom of God (9:43)
Tom Wright, former Archbishop of Durham, gives a succinct account of the theological concept of the Kingdom of God and Professor Cooling demonstrates how this might translate into a school environment, with support of the What If Learning initiative.
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Christian Teachers transform Teaching (DVD clip 3) (4:16)
This presents different views from teachers of the benefits, for a Christian teacher, of working in a multi-cultural/faith school. It also considers how the prophet Daniel can be used as a role model for this context.
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Christian Teachers transform Teaching (DVD clip 2) (2:57)
This considers the impact of Christianity in transforming teaching across the curriculum. It listens to the voices of both pupils and teachers
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Christian Teachers transform Teaching (DVD clip 1) (4:36)
This considers what it means to be a Christian teacher? It listens to the voices of both pupils and teachers.
Who is it for?
What if Learning (a sample lesson) (10:15)
Margaret Cooling clearly explains What if Learning. We see a history lesson being taught by a visiting teacher, while the usual class teacher comments on what is she learning through the lesson being framed in the What If approach.
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Faith Schools & Chocolate Cake (The background) (5:43)
Using different types of chocolate cake as a key analogy, this clip explains how school ethos, faith and pedagogy link and interact together to shape a curriculum within a Christian context.
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