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Is Theological Distance Education Credible?
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| Q. Isn’t the term Theological Distance Education
just a more sophisticated way of referring to Correspondence Education? A. Not Really. While some elements of the older correspondence system are still employed by most schools offering theological distance education, the term distance education is commonly understood to encompass all forms of nontraditional Theological education. This may include such methods as intensive seminars, audio and video conferencing and television based systems. More recently, computer technology has opened a whole new range of teaching and learning options, including the use of the Internet for synchronous and asynchronous teaching concepts and ease of education. Q. Isn’t Theological Distance Education, no matter how you define it, an inferior way of teaching theology and ministry related subjects? A. Not at all! The fact is, the first Correspondence Courses ever used were commissioned and approved by God. In regard to the writings of the New Testament, consider the Letters to the Seven Churches referred to in the Book of Revelation. Like the other writings of the New Testament, these were actually Correspondences Courses intended to be read and studied in the churches and by individual believers. In fact, the entire Bible may very well be understood as God’s Correspondence Course to mankind! Furthermore, one of the fundamental rights of believers is the freedom to study and learn from God’s Correspondence Course without having to go to a brick and mortar establishment. Not only that, but also the right to study alone, as an individual, without having to be restricted to a predetermined model of study. Q. Are brick and mortar institutions still important? A. Both have their place. Those who are able to attend a traditional on-campus Bible College, Seminary or Divinity School program, can do so, most especially young people in the early years of their theological training. However, the fact is that most cannot, and for the older individual or those only desiring to improve their previous theological education, traditional on-campus programs are often totally impractical, financially prohibitive, and usually located at such a distance that commuting is out of the question. In most cases, the off-campus distance education system is the preferred method for adults. Q. What is the true importance of the Distance Education Program? A. The diversity of need is so great that alternative methods and institutions needed top be established for the Body of Christ to be adequately served. In recent years this has come to be more widely recognized. So much so that some of the nontraditional schools are now graduating more students each year than the older and more venerable traditional institutions. Q. Are all theological distance education programs pretty much the same? A. No. No more than all traditional schools are the same. There is a wide variety of schools employing different methods. Some distance education schools use only books and printed study guides, others add audio and video tapes and CDs, while more recently the use of computer technology combined with the Internet has become popular. Still others specialize in short intensive seminars. Many distance education schools on the cutting edge employ some or all of these methods. Q. How can I know if a particular school is valid or is actually a degree mill? A. Check it out for yourself. Don't rely on secondary information. Contact the College or University and speak to the Dean of Admissions, the President and/or his appointed representative. Look over the Course Curriculum and see if it will fill both your personal and Academic needs. Q. What else can I do to evaluate whether the Distance Education Program is adequate or sufficient for me? A. Read everything on the web site. Request an academic evaluation for yourself, and ask every question that you think is important. Visit the Institution in person if that is possible. Don’t settle for anything less than a satisfactory answer. After that, you will be able to make an informed decision. |
