Abstract:

Concordia University and Saint Leo University are faith based institutions offering graduate and undergraduate courses to students in many different locations and through a variety of delivery methods. This diversity enriches the universities’ commitment to teaching and learning across all disciplines and in all locations. Saint Leo University’s Benedictine foundation of Core Values (Respect, Integrity, Personal Development, Community, Responsible Stewardship, and Excellence) holds the university community accountable to students no matter where they are located or the instructional delivery model. Concordia Portland is a Christian university grounded in the Lutheran core values of Christian, Teaching and Learning, Excellence, Community and Service. Both institutions hold all instructors accountable to the university’s preferred pedagogy to ensure full-time faculty, instructors, and adjuncts are committed to serving all students in all locations. For both institutions the core values are directly related to teaching expecta­tions and instructional competencies to ensure high expectations for faculty and students.

First the presenters will discuss how each institution designs instruction infusing core values in its preferred pedagogy engaging students in programs and environments that embrace values and are structured to meet the demands of the 21st century. Next, the presenters will offer realistic examples of the alignment of preferred pedagogy with core values at each institution. The discussion will include the similarities and differences in how faith based institutions implement preferred pedagogy aligned with their core values. The alignment will be described that can help faculty and other institutions to discover their innovative teaching pedagogy and values leading to research with the end result of nurturing and improving student learning outcomes.

Keywords:

Core values, critical thinking, preferred pedagogy.