How Does It Work?

 

 

We all have a pretty good idea of how a classroom works: sitting behind a desk, listening to a lecture, taking notes as fast as you can.

But online?
    No faces. No voices. Nothing to hear. Nobody to touch.
       Isn't the learning experience impossible without this?

So how do you learn on the Internet?

    The answer is ...
            Interactively. Conversationally.
                Visually. Effectively.

 

Syllabus & Overview Document

Most courses begin with a Course Syllabus & Overview (CSO) document. The CSO contains all the information and instructions necessary for course participation in one accesible and portable format. The course schedule, period dialogue forum questions, instructions for reading and assignments, along with grading rubrics are all a part of the CSO. In each course, the CSO is organized around the period dates for that semester allowing students to have a detailed overview of exactly what to expect for their courses as the semester progresses. Putting the majority of course assignment instructions in the CSO allows students to do a better job of planning their weekly schedules ahead of time.

Lectures

The use of written lectures is another important ingredient in online learning. Written lectures, along with assigned textbook readings, are a primary means of course content delivery in the online learning experience. A typical lesson will often have one lecture that the student downloads, prints, and reads for future discussion. The lectures tend to be relatively short (3-5 pages) and focused in on the lesson subject at hand. Furthermore, some courses make use of pre-recorded audio lectures from senior Seminary faculty. These audio files are generally distrubuted via CD or, if few enough in number, via high-compression download from within ANGEL.

Discussion Forums

The discussion of course content and integration among students and instructors is a third important ingredient in online learning. The typical online student is a working professional usually with several years of life experience that shapes their learning experience. These varying perspectives, experiences, and understandings are as vital to significant learning as the acquisition of new information. It is through threaded discussions that students demonstrate their interaction with and grasp of the material. These discussions also raise the level of class participation and contribution as it is often the only way a professor knows if the student "attended" class or not.

Assignments, Projects, and Exams

In addition to reading, lectures, and dialogues, students demonstrate their learning by submitting various kinds of assignments, projects, or exams. Assignments are generally brief, short written work done in a few days and submitted periodically throughout the course period. Examples include short reflection papers, mini-essays, sermon outlines, reading summaries. Larger projects such as true research papers, presentations, developing of teaching resources, or writing articles are frequently used as more substantial activities. Several courses also make use of mid-term or final-term exams, nearly always given in a timed, full-length essay format. Online exams are not proctored. Seminary students are expected to abide by an honor code of ethical conduct regarding cheating and honesty.

Grading & Rubrics

Rubrics are used extensively throughout online courses to establish expectations for grading and quality of work. For most dialogue forums and submitted assignments, a grading rubric is used as the basis for determining the student's grade. In most cases, grading rubrics are provided in the Course Overview & Syllabus document for each course.

ANGEL LMS

Online learning courses are delivered through the ANGEL Learning Management System.