The Akadameia as Paradigm for Online Community in Theological Distance Education

Nichols, Mark

doi:10.1177/002196571105400102

Cited by 6 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…By contrast, online theological education leaves students rooted and grounded in the community that God designed for formation -their ekklesia. This explains Nichols's (2011) observation:…”

Section: E-learning Maximises Communitymentioning

confidence: 85%

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Influence of hermeneutics on theological education: A case study at North-West University

Nel¹

2021

Reformed Theology in Africa Series

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Peer review declarationThe publisher (AOSIS) endorses the South African 'National Scholarly Book Publishers Forum Best Practice for Peer Review of Scholarly Books'. The manuscript was subjected to a rigorous two-step peer review prior to publication, with the identities of the reviewers not revealed to the author(s). The reviewers were independent of the publisher and/or authors in question. The reviewers commented positively on the scholarly merits of the manuscript and recommended that the manuscript be published. Where the reviewers recommended revision and/or improvements to the manuscript, the authors responded adequately to such recommendations. Research JustificationIn this book, a critical engagement with theological education in Africa is offered. As the book originates from South Africa, it is presented from a South African perspective although contributors are situated accross the African continent and abroad. The common denominator is, however, that all contributers are, in some way or another, invested in theological education in Africa.The main contribution of this collaborative work is to be sought in the insights it offers on four main areas of theological education: a historical and current orientation on theological edcuation in Africa, some paradigm shifts in theological education in Africa, ministerial formation needs versus theological education challenges and a critical reflection on elective models and methods. This book presents an original and innovative research of scholars involved in theological higher education, as it is grounded in the respective fields of interest of each contributor. It contributes to a better understanding of the complex African theological higher education landscape, a complex landscape that is experiencing even greater challenges since the dawn of COVID-19, which is noted in the research findings.Methodologically, the work draws on a combination of methods, including literature studies, empirical work and, in some cases, sectional offerings from doctoral studies, as indicated in the various chapters.The centre target consists of scholars in the field of higher theological education in Africa. No part of the book was plagiarised from another publication or published elsewhere before.

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“…By contrast, online theological education leaves students rooted and grounded in the community that God designed for formation -their ekklesia. This explains Nichols's (2011) observation:…”

Section: E-learning Maximises Communitymentioning

confidence: 85%

“…The key that unlocks the correct view of formation and community for theological education is Nichols's (2011) inspired distinction between community as akademeia and community as ekklesia. The importance of this article cannot be overstated.…”

Section: E-learning Maximises Communitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of hermeneutics on theological education: A case study at North-West University

Nel¹

2021

Reformed Theology in Africa Series

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“…Formation can be described as the development of character and spiritual maturity (Hockridge 2013). Nichols (2011) refers to the distinction between akadmeia and ecclesia, and purports that online DE might be more suited to the academic community (akademeia) rather than the church community (ecclesia).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Teaching theology from a distance: Experiences of the Institute of Distance Learning at St Tikhon’s Orthodox University in Moscow, Russia

Egorov

Melanina

Roberts

2019

HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies

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“…There have only been a handful of empirical studies undertaken on formational issues in distance or online theological education (Graham 2002;Heinemann 2006;Hockridge 2013;Lynch & Pattison 2005;Naidoo 2012;Nichols 2011Nichols , 2015Nichols , 2016Palka 2004;Reissner 1999). Some of these articles show evidence from empirical studies that indicate that DE is a suitable mode of delivery for theology studies and, in particular, formation.…”

Section: The Online Educated Humanmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some of these articles show evidence from empirical studies that indicate that DE is a suitable mode of delivery for theology studies and, in particular, formation. In this regard, the articles by Palka (2004), Hockridge (2013) and Nichols (2011Nichols ( , 2015Nichols ( , 2016 will now be discussed where they present evidence and insights into theological training via DE.…”

Section: The Online Educated Humanmentioning

confidence: 99%

Online learning as a form of distance education: Linking formation learning in theology to the theories of distance education

Roberts

2019

HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies

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Distance education (DE) has a long and complex history. It accounts for more than one-third of all higher education students in the world and, because of its very nature, has produced some of the top graduates worldwide who were unable to study fulltime and on-campus for various reasons. One of the most prestigious graduates of the DE system was the former state president of South Africa, the late Nelson Mandela. Online learning is a form of DE and fast becoming the preferred method of instruction and delivery. Critiques of online learning, and of DE itself, will argue that, because of the separation of the teacher and the student, only academic skills can be taught and learnt using this medium. The so-called ‘softer skills’ – those that focus on the development of the person – are best taught in a face-to-face, traditional environment. This article focuses on a review of DE theories and models. A particular emphasis is placed on online learning theories, and how the teaching of formational learning skills can be successfully incorporated into this educational setting. The article draws from a range of studies that have been conducted, based on conceptual and empirical research evidence from various authors. Drawing from Garrison, Anderson and Archer’s Community of Inquiry framework for online education, it presents key elements that relate to the formational (spiritual) training of theology students. The article examines research that both supports and cautions against online learning for formative development. It concludes by suggesting a blended model of both face-to-face and online learning, where meaningful interactions between the learner and teacher take place, is desirable. The article highlights the important role that DE (and specifically online education) can play in developing the human component of education.

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The Akadameia as Paradigm for Online Community in Theological Distance Education

Abstract: Theological education literature is alive with discussion around online education. Some assume the Internet as an asynchronous

Cited by 6 publications

References 33 publications

Influence of hermeneutics on theological education: A case study at North-West University

Influence of hermeneutics on theological education: A case study at North-West University

Teaching theology from a distance: Experiences of the Institute of Distance Learning at St Tikhon’s Orthodox University in Moscow, Russia

Online learning as a form of distance education: Linking formation learning in theology to the theories of distance education

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