Comenius

The Comenius Institute is a Christian educational institute that will engage in the teaching-learning craft. In doing so, the organization will encourage study, discussion, research, and collaboration of students and scholars in the pursuit of theological truth with academic excellence. The Institute may present relevant materials for discussion through lecturers, guest speakers, authors, resident scholars, and students. It may facilitate the learning process through small group dynamics, mentoring relationships, and open forum discussion. It is the hope of Comenius to provide a place for learners to engage in spiritual-intellectual growth in an environment that encourages study, reflection, curiosity, discourse and collaboration through the in-depth pursuit of wisdom.

Terror

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We will never forget. This essay is dedicated to all who were murdered in Las Vegas on the night of October 1st, 2017, all who suffer from their wounds (seen and unseen), the families who grieve loss, those who gave their lives for others, and those who helped in great or small ways. We stand … Read more

BEAUTY IN THE WORD (CALDECOTT), A REVIEW

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Seeing beauty – education’s goal. Humanities’ instruction depends on the origin of humanity. Caldecott’s thesis can be easily summarized: To be educated means we must constantly return to origins in order to pursue any ends. For the Christian educator, education must begin with, end on, and be motivated through Heaven. Against the fragmentation of god-less … Read more

Differences

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I really blew it. He was doodling. I was angry. The high school student sat right in front of me while I was teaching. Doodles poured from his pen. I thought he might take some notes from time to time, but no. At some point, I had had it. I needed to rein in this … Read more

Students

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They took over. It happened just yesterday. A group of Comenius students gathered in the campus center at IUPUI to talk. Often I am the one to ask questions of students: “What have you heard in classes lately that challenge your faith? What is the question being discussed on campus this week? How are you … Read more

The Comenius Institute Has New “Digs”!

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       Comenius Institute has new “digs”! Here is what was announced on Thursday, 19 October 2017 by our partners at Collaborate 317: “We are proud to announce the first member of the Amplify Hope Program @ Collaborate 317 – Meet Dr. Mark Eckel and The Comenius Institute! This is an amazing faith-based organization that helps high school students navigate the … Read more

Person

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“That’s not the person I was talking about.” It was the greatest experience of my teaching life. I taught for over forty years in the poorest public schools in and around Indianapolis. My students came from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds. I taught math. The most important aspect of education is relationship. Trust is … Read more

GroupThink

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“I don’t want you to believe anything I tell you.” This mantra has been and continues to be repeated daily to all my classes. I believe, as did the Bereans, that we should check all information against a standard. In my case, as a biblical professor, I encourage students to go back to Scripture to … Read more

Standards

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It was just more of the same. Comenius students and I text throughout the week: when I will be on campus, prayer requests, helpful essays about their studies, and what they are learning in class. The screen shot above is an example of a classroom message. “Where do ethical standards come from? Are they universal … Read more