Digital Life Together: The Challenge of Technology for Christian Schools

by David I. Smith, Kara Sevensma, Marjorie Terpstra

How digital technologies are impacting Christian education, and how to respond.

Digital technologies loom large in the experience of today’s students. However, parents, teachers, and school leaders have only started to take stock of the ramifications for teaching, learning, and faith. Digital Life Together walks educators, leaders, and parents through some of the big ideas that are hidden in our technology habits. Moving beyond general arguments for and against digital devices, the book draws from extensive interviews, surveys, classroom observations, and school records to examine the real impact of technology on Christian learning. 

Based on a three-year, in-depth study of Christian schools, authors David Smith, Kara Sevensma, Marjorie Terpstra, and Steven McMullen offer resources to inform conversations in school communities about the role of digital technologies in students’ formation. With a wealth of new research findings, short, readable chapters, and accompanying discussion questions, Digital Life Together sets the stage for individual reflection, book club discussions, professional development conversations, or strategic reflection by school leaders.

Genres: Education

344 pages, Paperback

Published May 5, 2020

About the author

I started out as a secondary school foreign language teacher in England. I quickly became intrigued by the ways in which implicit beliefs and values shaped the materials and ways of teaching that I experienced in classrooms. That theme has become my career-long research project. Most of my books have something to do with how faith gets expressed in classrooms. I now direct a research institute focused on how Christian faith relates to education as well as being involved in teacher education at Calvin College as an education professor. I serve as senior editor of the International Journal of Christianity and Education, and travel widely to work with schools and universities on faculty development. I have also been involved in shaping some online curriculum projects at http://www.whatiflearning.com and http://www.teachfastly.com.

Reviews

[Caleb Lagerwey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an important book for educators, parents, and students who want to consider how technology interacts with faith and learning in the context of Christian schools. I appreciated the shorter-accessibly chapters and their appended discussion questions as well as the section summaries that helped to reinforce the learning from previous chapters. The book also struck well the delicate balance between critique and praise, caution and optimism.

[Tirzah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lengthy read but well worth it. The sections that stood out to me the most were how technology can form students and how technology can connect to the wider community. One can immediately see how well the authors conducted their 3-year study. They articulated it in an organized, user-friendly manner for the layman to understand. I recommend to teachers and other school-related personnel as this book offers ideas of how a school can incorporate technology in the classroom to further Christian growth.

[Justin Harbin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for Christian school administration, boards, teachers, and parents before engaging technology in a school-wide approach. Thought provoking results here cause the reader to consider whether adoption of technology is doing what we hoped it would, and under which conditions it might actually contribute toward mission.

[Will van Delft · Rating 3 out of 5]

An important book, but not the most engaging read. I appreciated the section summaries, and discussion questions.