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.
