Teaching Open Distance Learning undergraduates in Theology to become effective change agents

Verbum et Ecclesia

 
 
Field Value
 
Title Teaching Open Distance Learning undergraduates in Theology to become effective change agents
 
Creator Oliver, Erna
 
Subject Church History; Education Theology education; Open Distance learning; Change agents
Description Teaching Theology in the African context presents unique challenges. In general, living conditions in South Africa did not improve much since the first democratic elections were held in 1994. Students have to cope with extreme living conditions whilst also focusing on their distance learning activities. Reflexive research that started in 2010 showed that opportunities could be created to make a greater impact on the students’ lives through innovative and interactive study material and teaching methods. The second year course ‘World Christianity and ecumenism’ provided ample opportunity to be used in an experiment to interact with students during the course of the semester in such a way that they could be challenged to act as change agents in their congregations and communities. By helping students to practise the values and skills learned and to transfer the knowledge gained from the course, they could be motivated to see themselves not only as learners, but also as teachers and educators. This motivated students to take greater responsibility for their own learning and also help to create a more favourable learning environment for others by acting as educators and leaders in their respective communities. By advocating, planning and implementing actions to promote positive change, students could become actively involved in ecumenical activities, upliftment projects and environmental awareness programmes. The positive impact of this study could be expanded into the wider B.Th. programme at University of South Africa through the current process of re-curriculating.
 
Publisher AOSIS
 
Contributor none
Date 2013-08-13
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion — Illuminative evaluation
Format text/html application/octet-stream text/xml application/pdf
Identifier 10.4102/ve.v34i1.845
 
Source Verbum et Ecclesia; Vol 34, No 1 (2013); 7 pages 2074-7705 1609-9982
 
Language eng
 
Relation
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:

https://verbumetecclesia.org.za/index.php/ve/article/view/845/1688 https://verbumetecclesia.org.za/index.php/ve/article/view/845/1689 https://verbumetecclesia.org.za/index.php/ve/article/view/845/1690 https://verbumetecclesia.org.za/index.php/ve/article/view/845/1687
 
Coverage South Africa contemporary theology students 2nd year B.Th
Rights Copyright (c) 2013 Erna Oliver https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
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