1. Stephen Lee CEO, Swan Christian Education Association

2. Education Education can be seen as a train journey The platforms the students stand on are their current knowledge The trains are the lessons teachers prepare for them to take them to a new level of understanding The gap between what they currently understand and the train ride of new learning is constructed carefully

3. If the gap is too big between what they understand and what your proposing as a new idea - they will not get on board as they will see that it takes a jump with risks to their current ideas If it is too small they will not see the reason to step on board as there is not sufficient gain to make it worthwhile We build a student’s understanding by moving them across gaps Good pedagogy minds the gaps

4. So what is Christian Education? It is not only about the way you mind the gaps but the gaps you mind. The gap in education that we are particularly interested in as young people grow and learn is their world view As Christian Educators we seek to build a Christian world view

5. What is the Christian World View Essentially it is an understanding of ourselves, others and the world we live in – in a context of it being God’s world which he created A Christian worldview starts in Genesis with God as creator – and thus the “owner” or “Lord” of all The rest of the Bible fills in the details

6. Filling in some of the details is important Students need a maturing worldview as they grow

7. Especially as knowledge increases faster and faster

8. Secular vs Christian Worldviews The gap between a secular world view and a Christian world view is God as creator Can be known intuitively but most commonly through the scriptures Is learnt from childhood where worldviews are founded in formative experiences and teachings Therefore schools play a big part

9. Current generations’ world view The wired generation see the world digitally They see the world through portable devices

10. Where is God? So where is God in the digital world of devices? The question is not : are we on the same platform as our kids ? But are we in the same station ?

11. Challenge What train do you need to get on as an educator (or as a parent) to make sure you are in close enough proximity to the children – to mind this gap in world views? If you’re not – change trains now Buy an ipad – and a smart phone and get your kids to teach you how to use them