Anne Hansen, The Tidings
February
28, 2003
http://www.the-tidings.com/
Time magazine reported on Feb. 3 that a mere 6 percent
of Americans say the personal computer is the one invention they
could not live without. That leaves the vast majority feeling
otherwise: they could live without the personal computer.
My
unscientific, random sample reveals different data. Most people
would miss the work and personal connections the computer gives
them through the Internet.
The
instant message system renders the telephone nearly obsolete in
some industries. E-mail allows us order everything from gourmet
cheese to exotic yarn. Grandmas and grandpas watch the development
of grandchildren in distant cities through digital pictures sent
over the Internet, and everyone from the very young to the elderly
seem to stay in touch with the comings and goings of family and
friends by using their computers.
Over
the past year, a new use for the computer has come my way: taking
classes over the Internet. The professional terminology for this
is distance learning via the Internet.
It
means I can sit at my computer dressed comfortably, at any time
of the day or night, and read, take notes, answer quiz questions
and learn to my heart's content.
I
can drink a cup of coffee, run downstairs and put laundry in the
dryer, or put everything on hold and answer the phone. Perfect
for those of us who cannot do just one thing at a time.
Once
or twice a week the class participants go on-line at the same
time and "chat" about the class material for an hour
or two. The professor and a teaching assistant attend the sessions
to keep the students on track. During the week messages can be
left for the professor, the teaching assistant or other class
members by using special message boards, and even though the response
is not immediate it is there for everyone to read.
Of
course, the family thinks this is a bit odd because they are convinced
I am computer illiterate. What they have not taken into account
is that by learning how to manage the technology necessary to
interact with the class, I can experience a very small piece of
some great Catholic universities.
My
choice for this distance learning experience is through the Institute
of Church Life at the University of Notre Dame. It offers a wide
range of classes about every aspect of church through a program
called STEP (Satellite Theological Education Program) and since
Notre Dame certainly does most things well, it was a good bet
for the first try at this relatively new form of education.
Now
if this sounds far too complicated or like it will start a series
of yawns, think again. The classes are interesting, relatively
simple and definitely thought-provoking.
So
far I have experienced two classes, "The American Catholic
Experience" and "Christian Conscience and Ethical Dilemma:
Guidance from Catholic Tradition." The titles may suggest
dry, unexciting material. This has not been the case. In each
class real life experience and concerns has been interwoven with
the basic material. The weekly "chat" sessions have
been quite lively by the interaction of students, professor and
teaching assistant.
Recently
the discussion centered on what constituted a "just war."
Talk of war tends to elicit emotional responses but because the
class was directed to documents rich in Catholic tradition and
teaching, emotionalism was held in check
The
class also took a hard look at death penalty and euthanasia issues,
and again was offered readings that clarified the Catholic tradition
and perspective on these controversial topics.
There
are those who say we have become too humanistic as a church or,
as my Irish friend says, we have been paying too much attention
to "butterflies and jellybeans."
The
truths of our faith have, at times, been lost behind a façade
of "feel good religion," and while there is great value
to feeling good about oneself, one's neighbor and one's God, there
is also value to knowing why Catholicism teaches what it does
and why it maintains certain practices.
The
potential for using the computer to educate and evangelize is
tremendous.
RCIA
groups could connect with Internet Theology classes at a Catholic
university or college and broaden their learning and education
far beyond the church meeting room. Eucharistic ministers taking
the Notre Dame class on Eucharist would surely find renewed meaning
in their rituals of distributing Communion.
Of
course, this type of learning is not meant to replace on-site
classes offered at local colleges and universities. They are,
however, marvelous tools for individuals to deepen their faith
through understanding and for dioceses to set into motion a high
level of educational experience for the many new lay ministers
serving the church every year.
For
further information on these types of courses, go to www.usccb.org/laity/laysurvey/schools.htm
where there is a complete listing of Catholic institutions that
offer distance learning.
Anne
Hansen is a parent education consultant and a parishioner at Blessed
Junípero Serra Church, Camarillo. Her e-mail address is
familymail@aol.com.
