Podcast: Distance Education and the Seminary
Online education is dramatically changing the playing field in higher education. In 2011, 89% of four-year public colleges and universities in the U.S. were reported to offer online classes. Though seminaries have lagged behind, in 2011-2012 nearly 20,000 of about 74,000 seminarians enrolled at accredited schools had completed at least one online course while still on campus. Seminaries are having to learn how to navigate the strange, new world the Digital Age has brought in.
Recently Austin and I discussed with Dr. Jerry O'Neill, president of the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and Aaron Sams*, Director of Distance Education at RPTS, the new online courses being offered at RPTS. We heard about the incredible blessings as well as the intriguing challenges this form of education brings to the seminary. Click below to listen along!
*Just wanted to add a congratulations to Aaron, who this past weekend was honored with his colleague Jon Bergmann for their work in using technology in the flipped classroom approach at the Bammy Awards in Washington, D.C. The educational equivalent of the Grammy Awards, the Bammy Awards are sponsored by The Academy of Education Arts and Sciences and give recognition to dedicated and innovative educational leaders.