So, over the last few years David has only been able to share some minor details about the projects he has worked on. Over the last few months he received permission to share more, but now the work he and the others in the little group of online seminary writers can discuss most of what their work has resulted in. They are still holding back on some details, but those should come out in the next twenty to fifty years. Here is the big reveal from the Church News website:
Online seminary: Another way for students to learn and grow in the gospel
Another way for students to learn and grow in the gospel
By Marianne Holman
Church News staff writer
Published: Friday, Oct. 4, 2013
With enrollment numbers higher than they have ever been in the 101 years
of seminary, more young people around the world are attending seminary than
ever before.
"We have heard from a number of seminary teachers that the [missionary
age eligibility] announcement changed the conversation of their seminary
classes," said Chad Webb, administrator of Seminaries and Institutes of
Religion. "There is an increased urgency and seminary has become more
relevant and important to a lot of students. They know they are preparing
to do something, they are not just attending class. It has helped them in
their engagement level, their interest level and their willingness to
participate."
Advances in technology have opened the doors to students who in the past
may not have had an opportunity to participate in seminary. Previously,
there have been three ways for students to enroll in seminary —
released-time, daily seminary (often referred to as "early morning"
seminary) and home study.
"With all the advances in technology in independent study courses as
well as online courses everywhere, we began to have conversations about if
there would be a more effective way to help young people in these kinds of
situations have a better experience," said Kelly Haws, an administrator who
oversees online seminary. "So we began thinking about ways more students
might be able to participate in seminary."
The online seminary option is has been approved as an option for home
study seminary students who have access to the technology needed to do
online seminary. As of now, the program is available in English-speaking
areas with a plan to implement it in many other languages in the future in
phases. It is not available for students who have the option to do
released-time or daily seminary.
"The curriculum we have for online seminary is very well written,"
Brother Haws said. "It is different than independent study courses. It is
quite different than just posting home study materials. This online class
is interactive and is housed on a platform that facilitates teachers and
students sharing with each other."
Although the online seminary class has a similar look to home study
seminary, it is different for many reasons. Students can no longer set out
a large block of time each week to get all of the week's assignments done
in one day. Instead, the online class members complete their online work
four days each week — at a time convenient to the student — and
participate together in a "class" once a week.
"When students log on, they will have a personal experience waiting for
them," said Brother Haws. "The class begins with them singing a hymn and
having a word of prayer."
Rather than just answering questions on a worksheet and turning it in
for credit, students are led in a study of the scriptures and are able to
answer questions, express feelings and share their testimonies through
feedback to their teachers. They are able to have a daily seminary
experience from home, while still interacting with other students and their
teacher. An online lesson usually lasts between 30-45 minutes. Teachers and
students are not necessarily online at the same time, but they are checking
in with each other and giving daily feedback. Just as a daily seminary
teacher would physically meet with a class in other areas, teachers are
able to "meet" with their students through online communication.
"It's not an independent study class," said Brother Haws. "If you've had
independent study classes in school you know that they are kind of a
do-the-work-at-your-own-pace when you can grab a block of time to do it.
Online seminary is not intended to be an independent study course. It is
designed to be an online course, a daily course."
One day a week students meet with their class — either physically
in the same location or, if that is not possible, as a group through an
online platform that allows multiple students to video conference
together.
This gives the students the classroom experience and teachers the
opportunity to interact face-to-face with their students. For many this
medium is very beneficial — giving shy or outgoing students an equal
opportunity to participate and be heard, as well as giving students time to
reflect and thoughtfully respond.
For instructors, preparation and class time might look a little
different for an online seminary class but the time and effort required are
comparable to that of a daily seminary instructor, Brother Webb said.
Rather than a few hours of preparation and in class, teachers spend their
time participating in the lesson, reading comments and responding to their
students.
IRI
Many students are befitting from the Church's
online seminary classes available this year. Students in areas where it
is often difficult to get together with other students and teachers are
participating in an online classroom that includes discussion, questions
and interaction with others.
"They know that many of their students will walk right out of seminary
and in to the mission field," Brother Webb said. "Seminary is, in many
ways, a large part of their preparation"
Face-to-face seminary classes are preferred, so online seminary is not
intended to replace released-time or daily seminary classes. Because there
are still some areas around the world that are so spread out
geographically, home study and online seminary — where technology
allows — are options for those students. The stake president in local
areas can work with the Seminaries and Institutes of Religion coordinators
in their area to decide which type of seminary classes would best meet the
needs of their students.
IRI
"For online seminary, we have a little more than 250 classes primarily
offered in the U.S., Canada, England and Australia," Brother Haws said. "We
have a total of about 320 teachers and presently 3,200
students."
IRI
Many students are befitting from the Church's
online seminary classes available this year. Students in areas where it
is often difficult to get together with other students and teachers are
participating in an online classroom that includes discussion, questions
and interaction with others.
Although online seminary is not an option for everyone, it is one way
many students are able to strengthen their testimonies and understanding as
they participate in gospel learning. "Whether they are in released-time,
daily or online seminary, the purpose or objective of having the class is
the same," said Brother Webb. "We hope for them to come to love the Lord
and follow Him as His disciples."
IRI
Students are able to have a daily seminary experience in their homes through online seminary.
A Sleepy Zombie
A Sniper Zombie
A Jewel Dragon Warrior
A tiger
Roar!
