The Learning Cycle – Insights for Faithful Teaching from Neuroscience and the Social Sciences

Muriel I. Elmer (PhD, Michigan State) is a retired adjunct professor for Trinity International University where she taught in both the educational studies and the intercultural studies PhD programs. She has taught nursing and intercultural communication at various institutions and has been an international consultant and educator for many cross-cultural organizations. She was the director of child survival programs and a training specialist at World Relief as well as a missionary in South Africa. Duane H. Elmer (PhD, Michigan State) has taught in over seventy-five countries and has provided cross-cultural training to Fortune 500 companies, relief and development agencies, mission organizations, churches, and educational institutions. He previously served as director of the PhD program in educational studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. He has also conducted peace and reconciliation efforts in several countries. His books include Cross-Cultural Conflict, Cross-Cultural Connections, and Cross-Cultural Servanthood. The Elmers live in Winfield, Illinois.

Acknowledgments



1. Laying the Foundation

2. Weaving Truth and Life



LEVEL 1: RECALL—I Remember the Information

3. Recall, Rehearsal, and Retention

4. Lectures that Transform



LEVEL 2: RECALL with APPRECIATION—I Value the Information

5. The Role of Emotion in Learning



LEVEL 3: RECALL with SPECULATION—I Ponder How to Use Information

6. From Content to Experience

7. The Power of Cognitive Dissonance



BARRIERS to CHANGE

8. Identifying Barriers

9. Overcoming Barriers



LEVEL 4: RECALL with PRACTICE—I Begin Changing My Behavior

10. Transformative Learning

11. Learning Tasks Leading to Practice



LEVEL 5: RECALL with HABIT—I Do Consistently

12. Building a Habit

13. Sustaining a Habit



THE LEARNING CYCLE

14. From Habit to Character



Notes

Bibliography

Author and Subject Index

Scripture Index