fusion (fyoo ‘shen) n. 1. the merging of different elements into a union. 2. the state of fact of being so united. 3. joining together.

     The purpose of the new Fusions text is to assist online learners in better understanding what a values-centered education is all about and to provide numerous opportunities for the integration of the Saint Leo University core values of excellence, community, respect, personal development, responsible stewardship, and integrity across disciplines. Although these values are rooted in the Benedictine tradition, they are universal in nature and may be adopted by people of differing cultures and backgrounds.

     The opening chapter provides a brief overview of Saint Leo University and the works of the founding Benedictine monks and sisters who laid the foundation for a values-inspired culture that is still enjoyed today. Within this chapter, the authors include tidbits of history about the university in a series of vignettes entitled History or Hearsay.  An overview of values education, which has influenced educational programs throughout the U.S., is presented to bolster the importance of a values-centered education. A thought-provoking discussion on values as key to shaping our knowledge and making informed choices in the work force is included and the question of ‘why study values’ is succinctly clarified. The first part of the book wraps up with a section on the role of the library, librarian, and research tools to support the online learning process and integration of the six core values. 

      Since often times learning in a virtual environment poses unique challenges, part two of the book provides a series of practical activities designed for the online classroom and organized around the Saint Leo core values. Over twenty professors joined together to write specific values-based activities to foster online learning around the six core values. Reflection questions, message board postings, asynchronous assignments, and chat room activities are included so that instructors may have flexibility in infusing the values across disciplines. The organization by value (an alternate organization by discipline can be found at the back of the book) reinforces the applicability of values across varied subject areas. The authors truly hope that the values-based activities promote stimulating discussions and encourage online learners to further explore values in their personal lives, the community, and in society. Instructors are provided with various ways to encourage these discussions, from two-minute reflection questions to 60-minute values-based activities across disciplines.      

         With all of its features, Fusions was designed to be an accessible, versatile text that gives the Saint Leo online learner another way to connect with the history and the culture of a values-based institution while providing practical, concrete paths to test out the values in their learning. Ultimately, the authors’ goal is to provide opportunities for students to actively engage in thinking how values inform, deepen, and distinguish their lives.

By: Jane M. Govoni, Ph.D., Mary T. Spoto, Ph.D., and Valerie Wright, Ph.D.