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UPCOMING EVENTS

Seminary Holds Online Course Seminars
December 14-16, 2009

In anticipation of launching online courses in the future, SENDAS hosted training seminars at the main campus in San Jose, Costa Rica. Dr. Mark Maddix, Professor and Administrator of Online Education at Northwest Nazarene University, presented to professors and administrators from Nazarene Seminaries from the Mexico and Central America (MAC) Region.
 
Dr. Maddix shared his vast experiences and knowledge concerning online course development and administration including topics such as the myths of online teaching, the philosophical differences between teaching in the virtual classroom and the traditional classroom, the challenges to teaching online courses and the reasons for teaching online.

In addition, Dr. Jorge Julca, President of the Nazarene Seminary of the Southern Cone (Argentina), shared his experiences with online education in South America.  Also, Thomas Soerens, representing UNELA (Evangelical University of the Americas), presented his experiences in teaching online courses.

All of the presenters were well received and everyone in attendance learned much about how to administrate and develop online courses.  Some participants, who began the seminar concerned about the validity of online courses, left the training understanding the important and valid role that online education could have in their context.

Dr. Ruben Fernandez states, “In Latin America, the Church of the Nazarene has been working in extension education from the 70´s, following the example of Jesus who was inspired and mobilized for his vision.  However, through this new tool, we can reach even more pastors and leaders in remote areas who otherwise would not have the opportunity to continue their studies.  It is our hope to begin online courses in the ETED program in 2010.”

In April, the seminary will hold a two-day intensive training in videoconferencing with Dr. Robert Woodruff from World Mission Education.  Videoconferencing is another valuable means that SENDAS will be using in the new Master’s Program in Family Counseling later this year.