Online Education

“In Touch Ministries, which Stanley founded in the 1970s, announced that it will be launching the Charles Stanley Institute on April 18.” - CPost

“U.S. News and World Report ranked Maranatha Baptist University #1 Best Online Bachelor’s Program at a private college in Wisconsin and #3 Best Online Bachelor’s Program in the state” - MBU

“The pandemic accelerated the push for remote options but also left students longing for in-person community.” - C.Today

“In my previous post considering Dan Wallace’s recent article discussing online vs. in-person education I concluded that, especially regarding theological teaching, in-person education is superior to distance education—all other things being equal. But rarely if ever in life are all other things equal.” - DBTS Blog

Dan Wallace: For those who will be ministering to real people in the most personal way, how is it possible for the virtual classroom, taught by a virtual teacher to virtual students, to be as good as flesh-and-blood instruction?

Logos: I am quite certain that the church in 2518 will be looking back at the internet and online teaching like we look at the printing press, and perhaps even using the word “ridiculous” of those who opposed it.

Why attend a “brick and mortar” institution? Why walk away from the benefits and discounts offered by online education? Because those discounts come with a cost—a savings accomplished by gutting education of its heart and soul—the relationship between teacher and student, in which not merely information, but a way of life is imparted through an ongoing relationship.

Is it really a seminary education if we are not worshiping together, praying with one another or talking about Jesus between classes? … Students can learn online. Friendships can form online. God can be heard through computer speakers, but it is hard to imagine the Lord’s Supper as a Skype meeting.

“…most online programs routinely fail their students through giving them insufficient instruction on the skills required by this new learning environment.” Taylor Study Method

Stanford, Harvard, MIT and other universities collaborate to offer Massively Open Online Courses, including open source platform technology. edX blog