tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35268624.post2037047197068214264..comments2024-01-03T04:41:22.547-05:00Comments on Webslinger: Argument for e-LearningGlen Farrellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343517452512258227noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35268624.post-22413837952946594132007-10-26T13:30:00.000-04:002007-10-26T13:30:00.000-04:00I'll be really interested to follow your thoughts ...I'll be really interested to follow your thoughts and comments as you move through the process.<BR/><BR/>I spent half of last week at a conference of university professors exploring how to use digital technology in theological education. There are already a significant number of theological courses online across Canada, and our conference was discussing how to make these richer, better pedagogically, and ensure that we don't duplicate work between institutions.<BR/><BR/>I attended because part of my work for the national church is to encourage the development of learning communities for in-service continuing education of ministry personnel. When we're trying to connect personnel in remote areas, this kind of technology is all that makes it possible. (For example, I'm working with a group of ministers in Labrador -- it's thousands of dollars to bring them together for a face-to-face meeting).<BR/><BR/>At the conference we were talking about different methods for structuring and evaluating courses, and different sorts of technological tools that are available. All come with a learning curve ... but then so does teaching in a face-to-face classroom! There were interesting discussions/observations in our conference (and pre-conference digital colloquium!) about the differences in style of teaching, and the different sorts of things students can learn. <BR/><BR/>For example ... I met a woman who lives in Guelph, and who is on the faculty of the Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax. She's been teaching Prayer and Spiritual Direction online, for credit, for the past 4 years -- and has never met any of her students face to face.<BR/><BR/>It's a different world from when I went to university ...but a very exciting one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com