Comments for REACH http://accessed.org/Blog Expanding your reach through Christian distance education Tue, 23 Mar 2010 21:26:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Comment on Conversations on Facebook by Steve Kemp http://accessed.org/Blog/?p=50&cpage=1#comment-375 Steve Kemp Tue, 23 Mar 2010 21:26:54 +0000 http://accessed.org/Blog/?p=50#comment-375 This article is good in its focus on how online community can support real community, such as the community of a classroom. However, I don't think much thought is being given to the role of other real communities (family, friends, church) in classroom communities. My article on situated learning in the next Christian Education Journal gives a few applications that help us to think about these roles. This article is good in its focus on how online community can support real community, such as the community of a classroom. However, I don’t think much thought is being given to the role of other real communities (family, friends, church) in classroom communities. My article on situated learning in the next Christian Education Journal gives a few applications that help us to think about these roles.

]]> Comment on Are we who we say we are? by Steve Kemp http://accessed.org/Blog/?p=35&cpage=1#comment-124 Steve Kemp Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:28:09 +0000 http://accessed.org/Blog/?p=35#comment-124 This is not much of an issue for us because we make such extensive use of "certified leaders" in each context where our resources are used. However, I'm certainly aware of the issue. Accrediting agencies (driven by Congress and USDE) are focusing sharply on it. I've been to several conferences recently and it is one of the hot items of the vendors. What strikes me is the concern for this in distance education, while traditional education has been given such a "free ride" for so long. It is still so easy for students to cheat on exams in traditional campus mega-classes. I think the single best thing to do to support integrity of online students is to pay attention and support the social context in which they are taking the courses. If someone's spouse/pastor/friend is engaged in the course, perhaps even having access to "lurk" on the work of the student, the student will be less likely to cheat because it may be readily apparent to key people in the student's life. Of course, it is even more important for positive reasons for online education to be linked significantly to these primary social relationships, but that is my usual speech! This is not much of an issue for us because we make such extensive use of “certified leaders” in each context where our resources are used. However, I’m certainly aware of the issue. Accrediting agencies (driven by Congress and USDE) are focusing sharply on it. I’ve been to several conferences recently and it is one of the hot items of the vendors. What strikes me is the concern for this in distance education, while traditional education has been given such a “free ride” for so long. It is still so easy for students to cheat on exams in traditional campus mega-classes.

I think the single best thing to do to support integrity of online students is to pay attention and support the social context in which they are taking the courses. If someone’s spouse/pastor/friend is engaged in the course, perhaps even having access to “lurk” on the work of the student, the student will be less likely to cheat because it may be readily apparent to key people in the student’s life.

Of course, it is even more important for positive reasons for online education to be linked significantly to these primary social relationships, but that is my usual speech!

]]> Comment on Spiritual Formation Webinar with Dr. Steve Lowe by Scott McNeal http://accessed.org/Blog/?p=26&cpage=1#comment-101 Scott McNeal Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:27:48 +0000 http://expandyourreach.org/Blog/?p=26#comment-101 Yes, nice job Steve. Very professional. Because of your professionalism, I got permission for our luddite dean (theological school) to access the archive while it was open for ten days. He loves to muse over this topic. Loves to debate it. He must be still musing 'cause he has not made any comments to me. Press on. - Scott Yes, nice job Steve. Very professional. Because of your professionalism, I got permission for our luddite dean (theological school) to access the archive while it was open for ten days. He loves to muse over this topic. Loves to debate it. He must be still musing ’cause he has not made any comments to me. Press on. – Scott

]]> Comment on Disembodied learning? by Steve Kemp http://accessed.org/Blog/?p=23&cpage=1#comment-43 Steve Kemp Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:43:00 +0000 http://expandyourreach.org/Blog/?p=23#comment-43 "Embodied" in what body? I find that many of us in online education are enamored by the robust "embodiment" that takes place in our discussion forums. And I have to say that overall, I think they are better than traditional classrooms. However, it still leaves me wondering whether our current use of online discussion forums is the right "body." It is great engagement for as long as it lasts, but once the online seminars are done, the "embodiment" tends to vaporize. I don't think we are taking seriously enough what it means to "embody" learning in a student's real learning community (family, friends, neighborhood, employment, church). Lots of schools advertise that students can "study where they are," but how well are they really taking advantage of the "embodied" locations of their students? Or to ask the question differently, what difference does a student's location make to the course? “Embodied” in what body? I find that many of us in online education are enamored by the robust “embodiment” that takes place in our discussion forums. And I have to say that overall, I think they are better than traditional classrooms. However, it still leaves me wondering whether our current use of online discussion forums is the right “body.” It is great engagement for as long as it lasts, but once the online seminars are done, the “embodiment” tends to vaporize.

I don’t think we are taking seriously enough what it means to “embody” learning in a student’s real learning community (family, friends, neighborhood, employment, church). Lots of schools advertise that students can “study where they are,” but how well are they really taking advantage of the “embodied” locations of their students? Or to ask the question differently, what difference does a student’s location make to the course?

]]> Comment on Disembodied learning? by Kevin M http://accessed.org/Blog/?p=23&cpage=1#comment-42 Kevin M Thu, 13 Aug 2009 11:44:24 +0000 http://expandyourreach.org/Blog/?p=23#comment-42 Just yesterday I was pointed to the article in The Chronicle (7/20/09)by Jeffrey R. Young "When Computers Leave Classrooms, So Does Boredom." It addresses an issue that we in distance learning have been talking about for some time. In fact, at Moody we are revising all of our online courses to incorporate more of a focus on delivering course content through textbooks and audio/video formats and utilizing discussion boards to engage students in discussion/debate on the weekly topic. So far, it has been garnering much support from student and instructor alike. How refreshing to hear someone else tout the virtues of podcasting! At ACCESS we heard about this from Randy Meredith in the conference and through a webinar the other month. What is happening is distance learning is embracing this new (to us) technology and traditional schools seem to be catching on to this new pedagogical understanding. Disembodied? No, we are simply engaging students through technology. Students are engaged. What is the difference between being distanced from the professor by 20 feet or 2,000 miles? Nothing if the student's mind is engaged in the interactivity provided. Is it easier in person? Yes. Does everyone "engage" in person? No. I feel more students truly "engage" in learning through online technologies. Just yesterday I was pointed to the article in The Chronicle (7/20/09)by Jeffrey R. Young “When Computers Leave Classrooms, So Does Boredom.” It addresses an issue that we in distance learning have been talking about for some time. In fact, at Moody we are revising all of our online courses to incorporate more of a focus on delivering course content through textbooks and audio/video formats and utilizing discussion boards to engage students in discussion/debate on the weekly topic. So far, it has been garnering much support from student and instructor alike.

How refreshing to hear someone else tout the virtues of podcasting! At ACCESS we heard about this from Randy Meredith in the conference and through a webinar the other month. What is happening is distance learning is embracing this new (to us) technology and traditional schools seem to be catching on to this new pedagogical understanding.

Disembodied? No, we are simply engaging students through technology. Students are engaged. What is the difference between being distanced from the professor by 20 feet or 2,000 miles? Nothing if the student’s mind is engaged in the interactivity provided. Is it easier in person? Yes. Does everyone “engage” in person? No. I feel more students truly “engage” in learning through online technologies.

]]> Comment on Gathered together online in His name by Steve Kemp http://accessed.org/Blog/?p=19&cpage=1#comment-24 Steve Kemp Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:17:15 +0000 http://expandyourreach.org/Blog/?p=19#comment-24 There is no doubt in my mind that Christians can "gather" online in the sense that most people have interpreted this passage, namely, whenever and wherever believers meet. The bigger question is how seriously we are taking "true community." Online education has developed high quality learning communities, often exceeding the experience of traditional campus learning communities in many ways. However, this strength may also be its weakness as the online learning community, entirely apart from other more foundational "learning communities" (family, neighborhood, local church). I'm very excited to see the development of "full-service" websites that facilitate communication within local churches. In this sense, they are most certainly fulfilling Matt. 18:20. There is no doubt in my mind that Christians can “gather” online in the sense that most people have interpreted this passage, namely, whenever and wherever believers meet. The bigger question is how seriously we are taking “true community.” Online education has developed high quality learning communities, often exceeding the experience of traditional campus learning communities in many ways. However, this strength may also be its weakness as the online learning community, entirely apart from other more foundational “learning communities” (family, neighborhood, local church). I’m very excited to see the development of “full-service” websites that facilitate communication within local churches. In this sense, they are most certainly fulfilling Matt. 18:20.

]]> Comment on Gathered together online in His name by Scott M http://accessed.org/Blog/?p=19&cpage=1#comment-23 Scott M Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:18:50 +0000 http://expandyourreach.org/Blog/?p=19#comment-23 Thanks for the post, Mary. I am sitting here waitng for a call from a former student. He is in Asia. Beyond the usual conversation is the hope that the Spirit is with us in our conversation. Thanks for the post, Mary.

I am sitting here waitng for a call from a former student. He is in Asia. Beyond the usual conversation is the hope that the Spirit is with us in our conversation.

]]> Comment on Gathered together online in His name by Kevin M http://accessed.org/Blog/?p=19&cpage=1#comment-17 Kevin M Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:12:56 +0000 http://expandyourreach.org/Blog/?p=19#comment-17 Very interesting! I don't think I've heard of Matt. 18:20 used in the context of online courses. Were Jesus to come in His incarnation in this day and age would He explain that to "gather" means to come together physically, by phone, video (live feed, of course), or discussion board/social networking? A good thing for us all to consider as we attempt spiritual formation in and through online education. Very interesting! I don’t think I’ve heard of Matt. 18:20 used in the context of online courses. Were Jesus to come in His incarnation in this day and age would He explain that to “gather” means to come together physically, by phone, video (live feed, of course), or discussion board/social networking? A good thing for us all to consider as we attempt spiritual formation in and through online education.

]]> Comment on Conference Buzz by Steve Kemp http://accessed.org/Blog/?p=3&cpage=1#comment-2 Steve Kemp Sat, 25 Apr 2009 13:35:49 +0000 http://expandyourreach.org/Blog/?p=3#comment-2 Indeed, there were some very special aspects of this conference. A few days ago, I bumped into Doug Filkens and we talked again about how pleased we were with the tremendous synergy and collaboration among distance educators in academic and mission organizations. That is one of the great features of an ACCESS conference. Indeed, there were some very special aspects of this conference. A few days ago, I bumped into Doug Filkens and we talked again about how pleased we were with the tremendous synergy and collaboration among distance educators in academic and mission organizations. That is one of the great features of an ACCESS conference.

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