Another Step towards Becoming a Disciple Training Center

President Clarke's vision of BYU-Idaho becoming a disciple training center is becoming a reality.  "To create that kind of classroom, with that kind of learning," he says, "will require more than new methods and approaches to teaching.  It will require new learning experiences based on the creative development of new material and new courses.  I see ahead a great season of creativity and innovation, a season of powerful new ideas and new curricula all across this campus."  One step towards his vision is marked by the institution of a new class.  Summer of 2007 marks the Disciple Leadership Class' second semester in the running, and its presence has been a major asset to the campus. 

The Disciple Leadership class is by no means a lecture class.  Rather, teaching takes place chiefly among the students.  Students are assigned into groups, given a historical topic, and asked to create a case study.  These studies range from the Cuban Missile Crisis, to President Hinckley's announcement of 100 temples.  After the group has been assigned a topic, they go through a process of researching, analyzing, pondering, and extracting principles from the case.  The group then posts their discoveries online at least 48 hours before class.  At this point, other members of the class begin inquiry on the subject by reading the case and posting their comments. This concept of students teaching students is one that President Clarke has foreseen in BYU-Idaho.  He comments, "In a day not far from now, we will be able to break down the barriers of time and space... and create outstanding, interactive educational experiences.  In these experiences students will teach one another in new and powerful ways."  Professors of the class, Brothers Eyring, Eaton, and Huff, act as mentors and guide class discussions.

Writing is another vital part of the Disciple Leadership class.  Students are required to keep a "Reflections Journal."  In these journals, students record what they have learned from their research, class discussions, and inspirations from the Lord.  BYU-Idaho student Tevya Washburn comments that the journals, "...allowed you to put together your thoughts and really internalize all you'd learned, as you reviewed it."  Students are also asked to compose a final paper in which they apply all of the principles they have learned to their personal lives. 

Overall, the goal of the class is to train students to become Disciples of Christ by gaining knowledge, influence, and the ability to think critically.  Washburn, who completed the class last winter says, "(The class) helped me to think about issues, morals, principles, and doctrines in new ways.  As it deepened my understanding of these essential ideas, it strengthened my resolve to live them and become a more Christ-like person.  That's what discipleship is all about."