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SENDAS holds Video Conference Training Dr. Bob Woodruff, Coordinator of Educational Development for the Church of the Nazarene, directed a training course in Video Conference Education for SENDAS professors and six additional Beyond Borders campuses that offer the Master’s program. All were connected by Internet on April 20 and 21. Dr. Woodruff, who lives in Perth, Australia, has many responsibilities, one of which is to develop and expand the role of videoconference classrooms on International Nazarene campuses.
Other than SENDAS in San Jose, Costa Rica, the centers who attended the training by videoconference included: Levittown, Puerto Rico; Mexico City; Tijuana, Mexico; Tuxtla, Mexico; San Salvador, El Salvador and Guatemala City. The Beyond Borders campuses have been preparing for this training for months as they become familiar with the equipment, test the systems and connect with other Educational Centers. Esdras Jimenez, missionary in Guatemala, is the technical coordinator for this project and from his efforts, the Centers are learning how to utilize the equipment. The training began with a brief introduction using the Biblical text Phil 4:10-13 focusing in this verse: “Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.” Since 1996, Dr. Fernandez, SENDAS ´s president, has had the dream of diversifying educational programs through technology. He shared, “Although all of us in theological education have desired to do so, it is not until now that we have the opportunity. God is good and faithful to bring us to this day.” Before coming to SENDAS, Dr. Woodruff first held a workshop with SENDAS from Australia using the same technology. During the current training, he shared from his vast experience in various educational settings about how to best utilize the videoconference technology to enhance the classroom experience. Woodruff shared many practical points about how to teach with excellence using videoconference technology in combination with online education and regular classes, which is known as “blended” education. Also, Dr. Woodruff led a lively discussion about the interrelationship between theology and education. In addition, the training was used as a test run for upcoming videoconference courses. The technology was tested; some issues were discovered and then resolved so that when classes begin, the technology will be ready.
The first program that SENDAS will share using this technology is the Masters in Family Counseling. The premier videoconference class will be Biblical and Theological Foundations of the Family, which will be offered from April 26 to May 5, 2010. The students have received work in advance for the two-week intensive course. Four centers will receive this class: Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Mexico Central and El Salvador. Professor Elvin Heredia, a Nazarene pastor, psychotherapist and family expert will teach the course from the Beyond Borders campus in Levittown, near San Juan, Puerto Rico. |
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