What is Equip?
Equip is an Australian professional learning program for teachers of Christian Studies in Lutheran education. It supports their development and understanding of theology, biblical literacy and pedagogical approaches for the teaching of Christian Studies as outlined in LEA’s Christian Studies Curriculum Framework (CSCF).
Facilitated by Regional Office staff, Equip is equivalent to six days of professional learning and includes three components:
- Equip 1 Who is God? Purpose and curriculum of Christian Studies (3 days)
- Equip 2 Who are we? Pedagogy of Christian Studies (3 days)
- Equip ePortfolio This is submitted at the completion of Equip 1 and 2. It provides evidence of learning and critical reflections throughout Equip towards the outcomes.
Who is Equip for?
Equip has been developed for current teachers of Christian Studies in a Lutheran school or early childhood service, and as they work towards their LCA Accreditation as a Christian Studies teacher (Ac). This level of accreditation is awarded after Connect and Equip have satisfactorily been completed.
How can I start Equip?
After Connect has been completed and the Connect ePortfolio submitted to LEA, teachers of Christian Studies can begin Equip. To explore options for engaging in Equip, you may:
- Contact your Regional Office Equip facilitator.
- Talk with your Professional Learning Leader at your school or early childhood service.
- Visit your Regional Office’s website events section (LEQ, LESNW or LEVNT) for dates, venues and to register.
Lutheran education core resources
- Christian Studies Curriculum Framework (LEA, 2015)
- A God who speaks and acts (Bartsch, 2015)
Enduring understanding
Christian Studies in Lutheran education engages learners in inquiry into beliefs about the nature of God while being responsive to the diversity of learners and their spirituality.
Outcomes
At the completion of Equip 1, the participant will be able to:
- Articulate an understanding of key Lutheran theological concepts related to the question ‘Who is God?’
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the purpose of Christian Studies in a Lutheran school or ECS
- Critically reflect on Christian Studies in their context
Equip 2: WHO ARE WE?
Lutheran education core resources
- Christian Studies Curriculum Framework (LEA, 2015)
- A God who speaks and acts (Bartsch, 2015)
Enduring understanding
Christian Studies in Lutheran education engages learners in inquiry processes to develop deep understandings of what it means to be human, and live in relationship with God, self and others.
Outcomes
At the completion of Equip 2, the participant will be able to:
- Articulate an understanding of key Lutheran theological concepts related to the notion of being human
- Critically reflect on the use of inquiry processes in their Christian Studies context
Equip ePortfolio
Portfolio submission
On completion of Equip 1 and 2 the facilitator will provide you with a link to submit your completed ePortfolio. If you have not received this link, please contact your facilitator, and they will be able to assist you.
FAQs:
Possibly. Recognition is given for equivalent learning where learning outcomes are similar to those covered in Equip. REL may be given for Equip 1, or Equip 2, or Equip 1 and Equip 2, or certain Outcomes addressed in Equip. Recognition is based on units satisfactorily completed on the Bible, Christianity, and on pedagogical approaches in Christian Studies (or Religious Education). Further information is found in the guidelines:
To apply for REL towards Equip, please use this form:
No. You will complete Connect and the ePortfolio, then email lea@lutheran.edu.au and your Regional Equip facilitator (i.e. at LEQ, LESNW or LEVNT) for the next steps towards your Accreditation as a Christian Studies teacher (Ac).
Equip 1 is facilitated over 3 days. Each workshop day is 6 ½ hours usually from 9 am – 3.30 pm.
While Equip facilitators provide time for you to submit on the final day of your Equip workshop, you do have up to 6 months to submit your ePortfolio.
Reminder emails are sent to alert you that your Equip ePortfolio is still to be submitted after 1 and 3 months.
As Equip is a national program, you can continue this program from your new school, ECS or region. Any database information is retained on LEA’s national register.
Events
As Equip 1 and Equip 2 are facilitated by staff from Regional Offices, please visit the Events section of your Regional Office’s website for dates, venues, to register or make enquiries. While the dates, locations and offerings of Equip 1 and Equip 2 vary significantly, the Equip workshop Outcomes and ePortfolio rubric are consistent across regions:
Contact
For all enquiries about Equip, please contact your Regional Office: