A Multiple Case Study Investigation into the Instructional Methodologies utilized by Catholic School Religion Teachers to Implement the Doctrinal Elements of Curriculum Framework for the Development of Catechetical Materials for Young People of High School Age.

摘要

In 2008 the USCCB published a curriculum framework for high school religious education curricula entitled Doctrinal Elements of Curriculum Framework for the Development of Catechetical Materials for Young People of High School Age (Framework). Since the Framework's release, publishers have adapted its doctrinal tenants to textbooks and catechetical materials for use within high schools and parishes. Those textbooks and catechetical materials that the USCCB have found to be in conformity with the teachings of the Catechism of the Catholic Church are in the process of being adopted and integrated into the religious education curricula of Catholic high schools across the country. Since its publication, little research has been conducted to find out how curriculum based on it has being implemented, and where religion teachers draw inspiration for developing their instructional methods with which to teach its contents. This multiple case study investigation provides a rich description of the instructional methodologies Catholic high school religion teachers use to implement the Framework and seeks to uncover whether there is any commonality among the cases. The study compares both the instructional methods and the influences religion teachers attribute for developing instructional methods. Three specific influences are examined in this study: formal education, professional development, and school environment. The instructional methods observed during this study were analyzed drawing from both catechetical and educational scholarship, and when compared across cases, reflect that the most commonly observed instructional methods rely on technology, and utilize group learning or human experience. In order to develop these instructional methods religion teachers relied primarily on their formal education. As a result, this study concludes that religion teacher participants contribute a wealth of resources for implementing the Framework, but could be better supported through formal education designed specifically to support the Framework's overarching goals.