Read my classmate post. Think and write your thoughts and feelings about his post. (1 page)
Classmate’s Post
Deeper learning is more than just remembering, recall, and recitation of what we understand, though. It is learning that enables us to “transfer knowledge to new contexts, apply concepts to novel situations, look at problems from varied perspectives, and explain in ways that make sense to others” (Hoffer, 2017). Deeper learning does not end with the accumulation of a set of knowledge; it is a continual process of connecting that knowledge to life. It is heart learning, not head just learning. In biblical studies, it is a process of understanding the text that leads to spiritual growth.
The 4Mat approach to teaching can bring about heart learning. Begin by answering the question in quadrant one, Why do I need to learn this? My son always had to have a reason to learn something and usually, “Because I (his homeschool teacher) said so” did not work. But when I could formulate a specific reason in a way that fit his thinking, he could learn just about anything. Interestingly, once he knew why, he needed to be left alone to figure out what he could do with the information; that’s quadrant 4 on the model. One of my daughters fit quadrant two; lecture/explain What does it mean, and the lesson was hers. My other daughter was a quadrant three doer. As a homeschool teacher, I was challenged to present the material in a way that each of my students could make it their own, but when I was successful, they were able to hide Gold’s Word in their hearts.
While the explanation of the model was clear, the example the textbook offered was unfortunate. The theme of Matthew 25 is preparing yourself for the judgment. The chapter contains 2 parables of preparation, the ten virgins and the talents. They were the illustrations for the lesson found in verses 31-46. This passage, though, is neither a parable; it is a depiction of Judgment Day. The King of verses 34 and 40 is identified in verse 31 as the Son of Man. The rest of verse 31 offers the setting.
Also, using the passage as instruction to pursue prison ministry is inaccurate. Consider Coffman’s comments on Matthew 25:36, “Those who think they find in these words of Jesus an excuse for making Christianity a mere matter of social charity, should look again. It is not the treatment of all the wretched and unfortunate of earth that shall make up the burden of the Christian’s duty (though that must be allowed as desirable), but the treatment of ‘these my brethren,’ as Christ expressed it, that determines destiny (see Matthew 25:40 (Links to an external site.))” (1974). Teaching the lost in prison is included in the Great Commission, but it is not part of this passage.
Yount would have created more understanding in my mind had he properly used a biblical passage when explicating the 4MAT process. This misuse reminds me that the basic knowledge must be valid for deeper learning to be of benefit.
Reference:
Coffman, J. B. (1974). “Matthew 25 Verse 36.” Matthew. Coffman commentaries on the bible. Abilene, TX: Abilene Christian University Press. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bcc/matthew-25.html
Hoffer, W. W. (2017). The importance of ‘understanding’ in mathematics.” Public education and business coalition. https://www.pebc.org/the-importance-of-understanding-in-mathematics/
