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Educational Renaissance’s unique line of books is devoted to three qualities:
- genuine historical inquiry into the great educators of the past,
- the legitimate insights of modern research, and
- a practical focus on teaching methods, or pedagogy.
Every book we publish will be marked by these three characteristics, all approached from a Christian perspective.
When you buy EdRen books, you help support the ongoing research of our EdRen Authors or Senior Fellows and allow Educational Renaissance to offer better quality materials in the future. Buy a book for yourself and another to share with a friend or colleague to keep the renaissance spreading!
Rethinking the Purpose of Education by Jason Barney
Rethinking the Purpose of Education: A Critique of Bloom’s Taxonomy from a Classical Christian Perspective
This book evaluates Bloom’s taxonomy from within the broader purpose of education as articulated in the classical Christian education renewal movement. Then it proposes a Christian vision of moral, intellectual and spiritual virtues as the proper goals of education. Lastly, it articulates the value of Aristotle’s five intellectual virtues as a rival paradigm for Bloom’s taxonomy of cognitive domain objectives. The practical conclusion explores how to write learning objectives in a classical and Christian way.
Advance Praise for Rethinking the Purpose of Education
“In this book, Barney works to bring together the wisdom of the ancients with contemporary research. By using Aristotle’s treatment of intellectual virtue as a lens through which to critique Bloom’s Taxonomy, Barney shows classical educators how to understand their work vis-à-vis both the long tradition of classical education and recent educational theories. Barney offers a model for classical educators of how to base their pedagogical practices (such as planning lessons or writing learning objectives) on the tradition’s broader understanding of the nature and purpose of education. By recognizing education as a value-laden, teleologically-driven activity that is not reducible to any single method, this approach enables teachers to engage in education that is holistically humane in both its philosophy and implementation.”
Dr. David Diener, Assistant Professor of Education, Hillsdale College
“In this book, Jason Barney provides clarifying and compelling theory alongside of his practical guidance. It is an excellent way into a deeper understanding of the classical Christian tradition of education by means of a constructive critique of a mindset that educators today cannot help but take for granted to some extent. Barney deftly uplifts the strengths of Bloom’s Taxonomy while filling in the gaping hole (the missing heart) at the center of Bloom’s categories with insightful application of Aristotle’s intellectual virtues. Even veteran classical educators will find themselves informed and inspired while those new to the renewal of classical education will be given both an excellent introduction to the classical Christian approach and helpful direction in creating learning objectives that humanize rather than dehumanize your students.”
Jesse Hake, Director of ClassicalU at Classical Academic Press
“As a Psychometrician who has spent my entire career developing assessments, I can confidently say that Jason Barney’s book, Rethinking the Purpose of Education, is a must-read for anyone in the field of classical education. His critique of Bloom’s Taxonomy from a Classical Christian perspective offers a fresh and compelling perspective on the purpose of education. As I read through the book, I was particularly struck by his proposal to replace Bloom’s orders of cognitive domain goals with Aristotle’s classification of Five Intellectual Virtues. As a strong believer in classical education, I was open to exploring new ideas, and I must say, I was impressed by the depth and richness of Aristotle’s ideas. Jason’s book has opened my eyes to a new way of thinking about education that is tied to tradition and offers a compelling alternative to the dominant paradigm of Bloom’s Taxonomy. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to deepen their understanding of the purpose of education.”
Dr. Tracy Gardner, Chief Operating Officer of Classic Learning Test
“Classical Christian educators are blessed with a rich inheritance of books and living ideas that have stood the test of time. We have the right content to form what our students know and love. And yet, far too often we end up teaching the way we were taught, haphazardly embracing modern and postmodern educational assumptions from our grading rubrics to classroom structure. Jason Barney awakens the voice of Aristotle to critique many of these modern assumptions found in models we often reference like Bloom’s taxonomy. Barney then helps us rediscover Aristotle’s intellectual virtues as a fresh path forward to equip us with the understanding and tools we need to create rich and engaging classrooms, where hearts, as well as heads are formed for a lifetime.”
Dr. W. Davies Owens, Executive Director of The Society for Classical Learning
A Short History of Narration by Jason Barney
A Short History of Narration is a follow up volume to A Classical Guide to Narration published by CiRCE that explores the history of narration as a teaching practice in the classical tradition, from Quintilian to Comenius. This history is explored through commentary on the primary texts of great educators, with practical reflections for the classroom and connections to modern learning science. Charlotte Mason’s own innovations in using narration as a central teaching method come into clearer focus, and suggestions for novel uses of narration in our contemporary context close out the book.
Advance Praise for A Short History of Narration
“Classical Christian education is on the rise today. While educators have almost no end to choices of great books and what materials to use to teach, there is a void in many schools regarding how to teach. Consequently, too often educators default often unintentionally to weak, progressive methodologies in their classrooms. Jason’s book A Short History of Narration is an urgently needed voice providing a convincing case for the use of Mason’s narration as a way to awaken the mind, soul and effectively form the habits of students. If it is true that the one who does the thinking does the learning, every classroom instructor K-12 must be familiar with narration. Jason’s book will inspire and equip you to effectively fulfill the promises of a well-executed classical Christian education.”
Dr. W. Davies Owens, Executive Director of The Society for Classical Learning
“The name Charlotte Mason, once unfamiliar to classical educators, has increasingly become a commonplace. This is due in no small part to Jason Barney and his colleagues at Educational Renaissance. In fact, their fellowship is aptly named; for the (re-)introduction of Mason’s practice of narration into the classical model lies at the heart of the educational renaissance we are experiencing. Yet, there is still work to be done. Many Charlotte Mason educators bristle at the appropriation of narration by classical educators, while many classical educators see the adoption of narration as something of a foreign (or, what is worse, modern) incursion into the curriculum. That is why this book is timely. By exposing the deep classical roots of the practice of narration, Barney successfully addresses both audiences, releasing the extraordinary potential of a Mason-informed classical education. Classical educators who have caught a vision for the poetic roots of the liberal arts will discover in narration a potent pedagogy, while Charlotte Mason educators will find that their students are wonderfully prepared for the full curriculum handed down in the liberal arts tradition.”
Dr. Kevin Clark, Founder of The Ecclesial Schools Initiative and Co-Author of The Liberal Arts Tradition
“Jason’s work in A Short History of Narration is persuasive and inspiring as he demonstrates why classical and Christian educators should continue to welcome and learn from Charlotte Mason’s rich application of time-honored insights into human nature. We do a great disservice to our students if we do not take seriously the ways in which the skill of narration in particular can form students with hearts and minds that are prepared to learn and thrive in all aspects of human life.”
Jesse Hake, Director of ClassicalU, Classical Academic Press
“A simple tool used properly can have extraordinary power. When it comes to student engagement, modern education is always looking for a technological solution. What if the best tool is a simple one? Jason Barney’s A Short History of Narration explores the simple but profound tool of narration. Like Archimedes’ lever, if we use it properly, it can move the Earth.”
Brett Tohlen, Academic Dean of The Covenant School of Dallas