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Online Courses
Online
Course Details
Online courses are one of the primary
programs of the Elders’ Institute. There are several expressions
for this type of teaching and learning, including e-learning, distance
learning, and cyber-learning.
Course participants identify several factors that contribute
to the success of learning online:
- Online courses offer greater flexibility than traditional classroom learning. Course participants can log on to a course and complete course readings and assignments anytime day or night.
- Online learning provides access to resources and information that are not available locally.
- E-learning offers opportunities to share eldership experiences and wisdom with ruling elders across the country. Online Christian communities can be enriching and supportive.
- There are no prerequisites to Elders’ Institute online courses; no essays or exams.
- Elders’ Institute courses are designed with the computer novice in mind. The course website includes easy-to-follow navigation instructions. Technical support is available over the telephone (toll-free) throughout every course.
Ruling elders report that they have shared knowledge gained
from online courses in the following ways:
- Teams of two or more course participants have used what they have learned in a course to address particular aspects of ministry in their congregation, such as pastoral care or Christian education.
- Course participants have organized an in-person visit by an Elders’ Institute instructor to preach and lead a workshop as a follow-up to a course .
- Entire sessions have used an Elders’ Institute course to strengthen their leadership skills and enrich their knowledge of the Bible and the Presbyterian tradition.
- Course participants have offered mini-workshops and made presentations of what they learned with their sessions, committees and congregational members at large to stimulate discussion of new ideas.
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