By Ed Vasicek on
Forum category
Christian Living
Topic tags
online education
Featured Poll

My son is finishing up his M.Div from Southern Seminary. He was a resident there for two years, but is finishing up his last year online. His wife is also taking online courses. I know lots and lots of people doing this — not only the wave of the future, but a current “wave.”

What about you? What do you think about this? Are classes better this way, worse, or close to an even trade (pros and cons balance).

Poll Results

Have you ever taken (accredited) online courses?

Yes, I have taken online classes and think they are better than traditional classes. Votes: 0
Yes, I have taken online classes, but (assuming good teachers), traditional are better. Votes: 3
Yes, I have taken online classes and they are generally equal to traditional . Votes: 6
Yes, I have taken online classes but not sure any of the above fit. Votes: 1
No, but if I took future classes, I would be open to online classes. Votes: 6
No, but I am unsure if I would be comfortable with online classes. Votes: 0
No way Jose’ would I take an online class. Votes: 1
Other Votes: 0
Ed, I can assume you have no class. Votes: 0

(Migrated poll)

N/A
0% (0 votes)
Total votes: 0

Discussion

Sat, 12/13/14

I really wanted to finish my bachelor’s degree, an interdisciplinary degree which I completed in May through Liberty. Were it not for online, I could not have taken the Bible classes I did, since there is no Christian college in Tucson. For a lot of people, online just makes sense. I would love to continue and take courses towards a Master’s, which would also be done on-line, possibly Liberty, but I’ve also looked at Dallas and a few other schools that offer on-line classes. Maybe some day…..

Sat, 12/13/14

This is an important distinction. An online class is completely, well … online. There is no real-time interaction with fellow students or faculty. You read your assignments, check in at the forum and make the requisite number of posts for the week.

Virtual classes allow the student to actually attend class, see the students, and interact in real-time. Because Maranatha Baptist Seminary rules, they have both options. I’m taking Greek with students who are in Watertown, while I’m near Springfield, IL, and other folks are in Arizona, etc, etc. You can talk, ask questions and interact in real-time. You are, quite literally, in the class just like students who are physically there.

Tyler is a pastor in Olympia, WA and works in State government.

Thu, 12/18/14

[TylerR]

This is an important distinction. An online class is completely, well … online. There is no real-time interaction with fellow students or faculty. You read your assignments, check in at the forum and make the requisite number of posts for the week.

Virtual classes allow the student to actually attend class, see the students, and interact in real-time. Because Maranatha Baptist Seminary rules, they have both options. I’m taking Greek with students who are in Watertown, while I’m near Springfield, IL, and other folks are in Arizona, etc, etc. You can talk, ask questions and interact in real-time. You are, quite literally, in the class just like students who are physically there.

Thanks for making that point. Yes, there is a difference!

"The Midrash Detective"