On 19 April 2024, over 100 faculty members of St. Aloysius College in Birkirkara, Malta gathered for their professional development day. It was a day dedicated to conversations about Ignatian Pedagogy—particularly, the so-called “Learning by Refraction” approach originated by Fr. Johnny Go SJ and Ms. Rita Atienza of the Philippines.
Fr. Go was the guest speaker for the day, who gave an overview of Ignatian Pedagogy. The faculty in attendance were quite diverse in terms of teaching experience—some with over ten years teaching in a Jesuit school, while a few were virtual newcomers to this distinct brand of learning and teaching. The whole-day session highlighted the two defining elements of the IPP—namely, Reflection and Action—illustrating how these two make Ignatian Pedagogy more relevant than ever since learning today has been, in the words of Fr. Go, redefined as understanding and application, which, it turns out, are the precise goals of Reflection and Action, respectively.
To drive home the timely relevance of the IPP, Fr. Go spoke of the implications of Generative AI technology on learning and teaching and the urgency in education to focus away from content (knowledge, facts, concepts) towards the learning process itself, which is exactly what the IPP invites educators to do: To design the learning process so that students undergo the desired experience, reflection, and action to attain the learning goals. The teachers were given the opportunity to discuss within their departments some of the implications of this shift.
The feedback from the faculty was quite positive, expressing their appreciation for the design of the seminar, which entailed not only that they listen to Fr. Go’s input, but reflect and discuss the ideas amongst themselves. The college Rector, Fr. Jimmy Bartolo SJ, voiced his satisfaction over the outcome of the seminar as well as his optimism for a stronger collective determination to implement Ignatian pedagogy in the classrooms.
Shown here at the ordination of Fr. Rob Rizzo SJ (former regent at SAC) the day after the seminar are (L to R): Fr. Johnny Go SJ, Fr. Jimmy Bartolo SJ (Rector of SAC), Fr. Rob Rizzo SJ, and Fr. Riyo Mursanto SJ (Rector of Arrupe International Residence in Manila, where Fr. Rob studied Theology)l
